Influential Dundee

Our Blog Experience has almost came to a grand close.

We'd like to mention why each of us personally believe that Dundee and this blog are influential to our design work and the way we see textiles.

Louise Murray "I personally have always found Dundee's range of graffiti beautiful. I can always see its colour and shape taking on its own textile application and I love how its often against large textured structures and find myself wondering how that could be created with fabric. This blog has helped share this and I've learned more about Dundee as I'm not Dundonian." My Own Blog and Deviantart (My Work)

Graffiti ontop of Evans Store Next to Clock (How do they get up there?!) Photo By- Myself

Gill Rourke: 'As I have lived in Dundee for basically all my life, I guess until now i have been very unappreciative of my surroundings, but doing this project has forced me to look deeper into many aspects of Dundee - like the culture and architecture - and by doing so I have found a better understanding and appreciate the interesting quirks that the city holds.  The quirky things we've become more aware of have helped to influence and inspire my work in textile design.

Shiona McMahon-"I have always enjoyed quirky things so this project was great for me! Speaking to the designers in the hot spots we vistied was interesting as we found out their backgrounds and how they came to have their own stores. It gives me confidence as they started out the same as me." B.E.A utilful man!!!!!

Nicola Whyte- I have also lived in Dundee forever... but never took time to go around Dundee,  to see what interesting things Dundee has in it, but by doing this project for the blog I took a couple of days to go and explore- taking photos of when I  found unique and interesting things along the way. It makes you think that if you just take the time to go searching for something you might find things which will surprise you and inspire you .

Jemma Esposito

Caron Ironside - I've rarely visited Dundee and since coming to college here have only had time to either be at college or in the car heading to or from college, so this project provided a great opportunity to make time to see Dundee.  I was very impressed with the 3 companies we visited each waving the flag for independent designers and retailers with a twist, and was inspired by what I saw as we walked about.  I loved the quirky angle which developed from our hot spot visits and after some research and more time on the ground in the city began to really appreciate and enjoy Dundee's quirky style.  I will certainly make more time over the next year to get to know the city better and visit it more often, whether for work or fun.  I'm very inspired to create my own blog to chart my second year at Dundee college and will draw ideas and inspiration from what we've created and achieved with this project.

The recycling centre

On arrival, i was welcomed by a poorly hand-painted sign, in black and white.  Plain and simple.  Underneath the sign were various pieces of graffiti – nothing particularly legible... and on the other wall entrance was more – larger graffiti works.  I scanned across them to find a pledge which had been sprayed in a blood-dripping type style... Just lovely.

This aside, i went in with an open mind.  I looked around to see old furniture galore!  Anything you could imagine... Leather sofas and desk chairs; coffee tables and writing desks; washing machines, fridges and ovens; bed frames and wardrobes... I could go on. All these items listed were just the 'generic' pieces.  I also came across some more... let's say 'interesting' things, such as a car seat – and by 'car seat' i don't mind the kind that a child sits in for extra height in the car – i mean an actual seat which has been ripped straight out of a car.  At one point i thought to myself – this place sells everything except from the kitchen sink!  Until i came across a kitchen sink that is. 

So first thoughts on the recycling centre – i wasn't sure how this was an inspirational place.  That was until i looked in deeper.  I found some really interesting things, like the door handles on some very old wardrobes.  They had beautiful, intricate patterns. 

 I found a table with an old Singer sewing machine built into it, i thought that the design of the table was a great idea, it would be very useful! 

The old sofas and rugs had great patterns and designs on them too, i was seeing some proper vintage stuff, i felt quite privileged to be able to view these.  And soon i began to understand why Erin from RaRa's found this a place to come for inspiration.  I came across a collection of old mattresses, each with a completely different fabric pattern, which was an indicator as to what era they had come from... Some I'd go as far to say as from the 60's-70's with their psychedelic floral prints, more modern but still dated with tartan fabric and quite modern simple swirly patterns.  It was interesting to see the range of patterns... 

In conclusion to my trip, I would say give it a chance! It was often difficult to find what was so inspirational but when you do... It's definitely worth it!

Lorraine Law

LORRAINE LAW is a self taught jewellery designer who is currently based in Dundee but also has a shop in Perth on Princes Street. After an interview with her in her Dundee store we found out the following.

Q. Why did you decide to have a shop in Dundee?

A. [she] Saw a gap in the market for the business and was
originally from Dundee

Q. Does Dundee influence you’re designing?

A. Yes because of the Different culture not so many constraints and it has a more relaxed and vibrant atmosphere.
Q. Where is your favourite place in Dundee?

A. [Her] house it has a great view also the observatory in Dundee to see the overall view from the top.
Q. Do you have your own website?

A. Yes   www.lorrainelaw.co.uk

Other information we got was that she worked better under pressures, she won an award for Scottish wedding jewellery, every year she chooses a charity and raises money for it and she has been doing this for 4 years.

She is influenced by Mary quant-so different and Zandra Rodes

See you at Locarno...

Locarno is definitely one of the coolest, quirkiest club nights in town.

Locarno is a unique club night playing music from the 50s & 60s - Rockabilly, Soul, Doo-Wop & Rock'N'Roll.

Find out more about Locarno here!

Some of Dundee's quirkier wildlife!

If you discover any other species lurking in the streets of the city - please let us know!

'March of the Penguins!' on wall of Old Steeple in Dundee City Centre.

A stowaway from The Discovery ship.

Semi-chem  squirrel!

The unicorn is part of the Frigate Unicorn at Dundee City Quay

Cheeky Monkey sat on top of information board in Dundee City Centre



Dragon found in the High Street..



BECO Boutique.

'B'-ECO... get it?

BECO Boutique is one of Dundee's most popular independent  retailers, specializing in vintage and recycled clothing & accessories. Established in 2009 with the aid of Dundee's Wellgate Centre ‘Project Retail’. Beco Boutique was chosen to be one of the winners of the innovative startup grant. 

Since then, BECO Boutique has celebrated its first birthday, taken part in fashion shows and has even been featured in a book! 

BECO Boutique is not only be a shop but a brand which includes remade and doctored items of clothing, and travelling far and wide seeking out the best in vintage clothing and accessories that have history and mystery behind them. Beco Boutique has recently brought two exciting new brands to Dundee, Lazy Oaf and Stolen Thunder as part of their 'BECO Unique' section.



BECO Boutique Photoshoot August 2010



If you like what you see and would like to find out more about BECO Boutique or fancy picking yourself up some one-off treasures, why not pop down and pay a visit @ 4 Whitehall Crescent Dundee? Or you can see what they're up to via their Facebook page.

Charity Dance

Raising money to benefit Armistead Child Development Centre in Dundee. The centre houses a Therapy Nursery which is attended by children from all over Tayside, Angus and Perthshire.

Find out more about this event here!