In with the indie crowd

MEET the 'indiepreneurs', a group of first-time shop owners set to breathe new life into an area labelled Glasgow's Covent Garden.

MEET the 'indiepreneurs', a group of first-time shop owners set to breathe new life into an area labelled Glasgow's Covent Garden.

Three new tenants have just opened shops on the upper floor of De Courcy's Arcade in Cresswell Lane. They include a vintage clothing emporium, a boutique for retro-influenced craftmakers, and a designer clothing exchange.

Their aim is to invoke in the West End the spirit of the Virginia Galleries, the lost and much-lamented city centre Mecca for vintage fans that closed in 1998 and was eventually demolished in 2003.

Carrie Maclennan, who co-owns new outlet Made In The Shade Maisonette, said: "I'm 30 and I don't have anywhere to shop that excites me in the same way that Virginia Galleries did back then.

"I think this is along the same lines - it's putting a bit more of the indie spirit back into De Courcy's. I think it's going to work out well as a little indie shopping community."

Four of the six units on the upper level of the arcade, which had closed to make way for a restaurant which will not now be going ahead, have so far been let.

The Made In The Shade Maisonette gives a permanent home to the 1950s-inspired boutique market launched in May 2008 that attracted thousands of shoppers to regular events at The Lighthouse and Glasgow University Union. It is dedicated to showcasing and promoting off-beat designs and crafts by up and coming designers and vintage lifestyle items.

Interiors and homewares designer Clare Nicolson, 28, said: "We've styled it like a cosy autumn living-room.

"We'll change it seasonally - we'll have a spring cleaning kitchen theme for Spring. We want it to be different for us, the customers and the designers."

Its first collection includes work by knitting specialist Donna Wilson, ceramicist Cosima Sempill (Kitty & Dude), embroiderer Angharad Jefferson, illustrator Gemma Correll and bookbinder Eva Gustavsson (bindyboo).

The store will also play host to small-scale exhibitions, regular workshops, and there are plans to introduce an online shop.

Fellow De Courcy's tenant Alan Brooks decided to set up his own vintage clothing shop after taking voluntary redundancy from a high-flying job as a national manager with a gas supplier.

He wants his boutique, Not Now, Cato! - named after Peter Sellers' famous line from the Pink Panther films, to appeal as much to male vintage fans as well as female ones.

Alan says: "I felt that in most of the vintage shops you felt you were in a girls' shop, but I'm trying to do a 50-50 mix - to have a place that guys feel comfortable in."

The 53-year-old from Waterfoot, near Eaglesham, was inspired by his formative experience of working in jeans store The Slack Shack in the 1970s - and of visiting vintage shops in Manchester and London.

He adds: "There are a lot of vintage shops in Glasgow, but there isn't a coherent centre - they don't work together.

"I'm not saying I'm going to bring everyone together and it's all going to be groovy, but I felt there was a lot of space in Glasgow to have a vintage trail."

Meanwhile, the labels on offer at the third new store, a designer clothing exchange called Just ... For You, will provide more up-to-date stock, but still at bargain prices.

The shop is the first business venture of mum-of-three Justina McLaughlin, who previously worked for high street fashion stores including Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Monsoon.

The 41-year-old from Whiteinch, who also performs as a cabaret singer, said: "I've worked in retail for about 20 years, so it's about time I did something for myself."

She has so far amassed around 80 garments ranging from luxury brands such as Gucci and Armani to higher-end mainstream stores such as Karen Millen, Ted Baker and Diesel. Customers can bring items to sell into the shop - with any profits split 50/50 with Justina - and she plans to also commission a machinist to fashion plus-sized versions of designer frocks.

She adds: "I find a lot of people who are sized 18-26 can't buy designer stuff. So we can make it up for them - it's another option.

"I'm good at putting clothes together and I just love people - it will be great to talk to everybody. And I'll be able to express myself through the clothes."

De Courcy's Arcade was the original home of Fopp records, opened as A1 records by Gordon Montgomery back in 1981. It was also the starting place of kitsch gift specialist Felix and Oscar and skincare store Willow Trading, both now located on Great Western Road.

The ground floor's current tenants include Beanscene coffee house and Argento jewellers.

Jeffrey Freeman, of property agents Freeman & Macleod, said: "The arcade a landmark building and because of that a lot of traders gravitate towards De Courcy's, not just as a stepping stone to starting a new business - it gives them a foothold to launch their business or extend an established name in the West End."

TEN TOP VINTAGE SHOPS

MR BENOriginally housed in Virginia Galleries, Mr Ben, pictured, is home to one of the largest collection of retro Y-fronts around.

Kings Court, 101 King Street, 0141 553 1936

STARRY STARRY NIGHTVintage specialist Anna Graham has created a treasure trove of fashion throughout the decades.

19 Dowanside Lane, Hillhead, 0141 337 1837

RAW VINTAGEA mix of period fashions, plus customised and revamped clothing by in-house designers, set in a former coach-house building.

3 Abbot Street, Shawlands, 0141 649 2752

CIRCA VINTAGEA haven of high quality seconad-hand clothes, accessories and costume jewellery, which pop star Duffy name-checked as her favourite store.

Well, if it's good enough for her...

37 Ruthven Lane, Hillhead, 0141 334 6660

WATERMELONA great selection of second-hand women's and menswear from the 1950s to 1970s at affordable prices.

603 Great Western Road, Kelvinbridge, 0141 334 3900

TATTY BONMake-up artist Lynne Anderson's vintage wares include handmade jewellery, customised items and a section of clothes for those with a fuller figure.

61 Parnie Street, Merchant City, 0141 552 4241

VINTAGE GURUJennifer Cocozza specialises in clothing from the 20s to the 80s, restocking the shelves with over 150 items every day.

195 Byres Road, Hillhead, 0141 339 4750

THE DRESSER'S ROOMStylist and personal shopper Jade Halbert sells garments dating from the 1920s onwards.

47 Skirving Street, Shawlands, 0141 632 6451

RETROA long-established two-storey vintage clothing institution boasting everything from delicate Victorian lace to 1970s flares.

8 Otago Street, Kelvinbridge, 0141 576 0165

WE LOVE TO BOOGIEGreg Milne and Natalia Codona blend new and second-hand garments, ranging from tartan shirts to Chanel, and pieces by up-and-coming local designers.