New vintage fashion shop opens in city

IN a bid to help give more life to Dundee’s Keiller Centre, a 21-year-old entrepreneur has opened a vintage and alternative fashion store.

Kitschy Kat is the latest addition to the shopping centre, offering a range of vintage clothing and accessories, as well as alternative fashion and products from local makers.

Josephine Hawley opened the store in March to cultivate her fashion interest and offer something different.

“I took a risk with it because the Keiller Centre has been quite empty for a few years,” she said.

“But I thought it would be nice to do something a bit different.

“It’s quite a good space to try something friendly for a diverse group of people.”

In past times, the Keiller Centre was a bustling place and Dundee’s go-to shopping destination.

She has noticed passers-by comment that it’s nice to see a new store in the space.

Kitschy Kat is opposite The Federation #krg, an art space operated by gallery owner Kathryn Rattray aiming to “make the Keiller Centre great again”.

Josephine has already started noticing customers coming back to the shop.

“A lot of people have just stumbled across me and a few have gone out of their way to find me,” she says.

“They’ve come back a couple of weeks to see if I’ve got anything new or just to come chat, it’s been very positive.

“It’s nice to do something with the space because it’s very central, it’s a shame that it’s so empty.”

The inspiration for Kitschy Kat came to Josephine in her previous job working for a firm she describes as not environmentally friendly.

Designing products that were not made to last inspired the entrepreneur to instead breathe new life into clothes to give them a longer life.

She said: “I think there’s a need for sustainable fashion and alternative fashion as well.

“I like speaking to folk and asking them what styles they want, many seem to want vintage fashion and especially swing dresses at the moment.”

Also on offer in the shop are candles from Beesy’s Beeswax in Glenrothes and denim jackets from Selvedge.

While the shop is still growing, the entrepreneur – originally from Glenrothes in Fife – is steering it in the right direction.

“It’s still early days, but I’m pleased with where it’s heading,” she said.