Community project seeks vintage clothing

12 March 2009

Do you have any vintage clothes at the back of your wardrobe? Dresses or outfits from days gone by that are gathering dust?

Pròiseact nan Ealan (PnE) and Crossroads Caring Scotland are seeking vintage clothing from different eras for a new Gaelic community project - Na mo Chuid Aodaich (meaning ‘In my clothes”) – which will take place on the Isle of Lewis. The project will use storytelling and song to explore the events of the 1900s and the impact they had on island fashions. So far organisers have collected an amazing range of clothing, with styles from all different decades including 1950’s prom-style dresses, 1960’s mini dresses, 1970’s maxi dress, wedding dress from a range of eras not to mention heels, hats, and accessories of all shapes and sizes.

Head of Production at PnE, Marisa Macdonald, said: “The range of clothes so far collected has been absolutely fascinating and we can’t wait to see what else people have hidden away. We urge you to dig out those hidden gems, so that we can use them as part of this exciting community project and share them with the rest of the Western Isles. All clothing will be well looked after and returned after the project”.

If you do have anything that meets this description, it can be handed in to Pròiseact nan Ealan (10 Shell street), or you can contact PnE on 01851 704493 / email pne@gaelic-arts.com to arrange a pick up / drop off time or find out more about the project.

The events will take place this year throughout Lewis and will involve all members of the community – young and old. All money raised will go to Crossroads – a charity which aims to improve the lives of carers by providing short breaks and practical support. There are 48 Crossroads schemes throughout Scotland - providing over one million hours of practical support for Carers each year. More information about the project will be available soon.