UK NEWS

DUNDEE'S FASHION SENSE? IT'S COMICAL

Dundee: Least fashion-conscious area

Friday September 12,2008

By Judith Duffy

IT is perhaps not surprising when the city’s icons include Beryl the Peril and Maw Broon, but women in Dundee are the worst dressed in Scotland.

The city has the unwelcome label as the only place north of the Border to make it into a list of the least fashion-conscious areas in the UK and is ranked fourth overall on a list of fashion shame, according to a new survey.

Just over 100 miles away, Edinburgh has the third best dressed women, behind Cheltenham and first-placed London.

However, experts yesterday rejected claims that Dundee – birthplace of early-morning TV queen Lorraine Kelly, who has faced more than he share of fashion faux pas – lies in a fashion black hole. In June, Dundee University awarded an honorary degree to Queen of Punk Dame Vivienne Westwood and in 2003 it recognised the work of designer Stella McCartney.

Other links include Dundonian designer Brian Rennie, who was the creative director of legendary fashion house Escada for more than 20 years.

You can’t put Dundee and London in the same poll

Tessa Hartmann

Tessa Hartmann, founder of the Scottish Fashion Awards and co-chair of the Scottish Fashion Council, said: “London is the epicentre of style and fashion. You can’t put Dundee and London in the same poll.

“There are probably quite a few stylish people in Dundee – but will there be the same as in London or any of the bigger cities? Of course not, as they are not afforded the same retail opportunities.”

A spokesman for Dundee College, which runs several fashion courses, described the poll as “rubbish”.

“Dundee women are no worse dressed than anyone else,” he said. “I am fair scunnered hearing people who have never visited the city making these judgments.

“Like any city, there are elements who display a distinct lack of dress sense, but Dundee College is proud to run courses both in art and designdisciplines and fashion retail. Many students display a fantastic degree of style.”

Kirsten Dunnett, 22, opened the independent fashion store Missy La Las Boutique in the city three months ago, stocking up-and-coming labels from London.

She said: “Out of everywhere in Scotland, I’m sure everyone knows somewhere worse than Dundee for fashion sense.

“I think the younger women in Dundee who are into their fashion will be quite outraged at this and take great offence to it.

“But like with every poll, you have to take these results with a pinch of salt.”

The nationwide study, which quizzed just over 4,500 women aged between 18 and 45 on their fashion habits, was conducted by www.MyCelebrityFashion.co.uk.