IMAGINE the scene: there are women sporting victory rolls and scarlet lippy, a 1950s soundtrack playing on the stereo, and perhaps a member of pop group Belle and Sebastian wandering around.

Welcome to Made In The Shade, Glasgow's most glamorous boutique market. It's light years removed from the frenzy of the high street.

Around 55 local designers and craftmakers will descend on The Lighthouse on Saturday for the quirky retail experience that blends the style of burlesque with the ethics of recycling and buying locally.

The idea is the brainchild of five local creatives - Carrie Maclennan, Clare Nicolson, Suzanne Smith, Jo Gurney and Lynsey Smith - who pooled their talents to launch the first event in May of this year, and attracted over 2000 visitors.

Visitors to this weekend's event can cast their eyes over clothing, jewellery, accessories, homewares, beauty products and gifts made by young design talent without feeling the bite of the credit crunch. Prices at Made In The Shade range from a pocket-friendly £1.50 to around £200 for bespoke garments.

"We've always highlighted this idea of the delight of the handmade item," says Carrie, 29, who makes soaps under the name of Lady Wurlitzer and sells vintage finds from her Nana Moon collection.

"Although people are being told they shouldn't be indulging themselves with luxury items, Made In The Shade allows people to continue to do that regardless of what state the world economy may be in.

"You don't have to spend thousands of pounds in a designer department store to be able to enjoy the fact that you have an exclusive, one-off, hand-made item."

By day, Carrie is a PhD student researching Glasgow's musical identity at Caledonian University. She's also a DJ at the Fuzzy Felt Folk club at MacSorley's Bar in Jamaica Street.

But when not working, she's pouring her efforts into scouring shops for vintage glass, stationery, photographs and linen for Nana Moon, and creating handmade soaps at her home in Dennistoun.

The organisers of Made In The Shade encourage stallholders to make an effort, with tea dresses, pin-curls and vintage aprons all adding to the retro atmosphere.

The background playlist features a mix of big band jazz, Rat Pack classics, easy listening hits and country and western songs.

And early birds can make the most of goodie bags worth up to £30 containing special treats from the exhibitors and designers.

Made In The Shade aims to harness the do it yourself', grassroots ethic that's popular among Glasgow's artistic communities.

It has built up relationships with other collectives such as the Glasgow Craft Mafia and the Creative Entrepreneurs Club.

A Christmas-themed event featuring a choir and vintage beauty parlour will also take place at The Lighthouse on December 6 and 7.

"It's a fabulous way to spend an afternoon," adds Carrie.

"I think Made In The Shade is an all-round experience and it encompasses so many other factors that it goes beyond being just a market."

n Made In The Shade is at the The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane, on Saturday from 10.30am until 5pm.

Admission is free. For information go to www.wearemadeintheshade.com