Front Lounge

Runway Showcase for Clothes-Making Graduates

A graduation ceremony celebrating the achievements of 20 learners who are transforming their lives through sewing was held in Dundee this weekend (Saturday 7 September 2024).

The event, held at Discovery Point, recognised the achievements of the largest group of graduates to complete the SQA-accredited course since it launched in 2020, ranging in age from 13 to 52. The new batch brings the total number of graduates to 54, including the first cohort who achieved the qualification online due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Kindred Clothing Graduation 2024!

Kindred Clothing Graduation 2024 – credit Grant Keelan, PPG Photography.

Led by Dundee charity Front Lounge, the Kindred Clothing Award (Garment Production) qualification was designed by a group of young mums in 2021 and is delivered by businesses within the Clothes Making Learning Partnership (CMLP). They take learners through the key stages of the garment production process, from setting up and using a sewing machine to mood boards, pattern making and garment construction. Learners also gain practical fashion photography skills and techniques to present themselves, their stories and their clothes.

The graduation saw learners take to the catwalk in their creations, from customised lounge suits and glitzy dresses to dungarees and accessories. The group included five learners who completed the course during a compressed, two-week ‘summer school’  in July and Nymeria Drayak from Orkney, who completed the entire course online, supported by Orkney-based fashion designer Kirsteen Stewart.  Nymeria also won ‘The Tailor Trade Award’  from The Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee.  Hailed this year’s most outstanding Kindred Clothing learner, Nymeria received a certificate and £350.

Kindred Clothing graduation

L-R – Stephen Brand, Deacon of The Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee, Nymeria Drayak and Kirsteen Stewart. Credit – Grant Keelan, PPG Photography.

Joining the new graduates were four  Kindred Clothing luminaries – Amy Deans, Cerrys Duke, Christie Wanless and Courtney Keddie, who received their Assessor Qualification. They were dressed by a group of local designers, all long-term supporters of Kindred Clothing  – namely Isolated Heroes, Jo-AMI, Little Peril and Orkney-based Kirsteen Stewart.

Music was provided by Dundee community singing group Loadsaweeminsinging and duo Edenbank.

The youngest to graduate was Brooke McMillan, a Baldragon Academy pupil from Dundee who joined Kindred Clothing at the age of 12 –“I’m really proud to be the youngest person to ever graduate from Kindred Clothing. I didn’t really like school because it was too stressful but Kindred Clothing has brought everyone so much happiness. I’ll be pushing myself to launch a business in the future and can’t think everyone at Kindred Clothing enough.”

Kindred Clothing Brooke

Brooke McMillan, the youngest learner to ever graduate from Kindred Clothing. Credit – David Izatt.

Brooke was joined by 52-year-old Dundee grandmother of two Candi Murray, who added, “When I was at school, sewing was the only thing I ever wanted to do but I never got the chance. I’d done a bit of hand sewing over the years but life got in the way and I’d never got around to learning how to use a machine.   I saw Kindred Clothing as my chance to do something for me, something I’ve wanted to do for a while.  I absolutely loved the course and went from being a total novice on the machine to creating my own clothes.  Everyone has faced their own obstacles on this journey so I’m pretty proud of both myself and everyone else.”

Chika Inatimi, Founder of Front Lounge, said, “The Kindred Clothing graduation is always one of the highlights of our year and this year’s is extra special, featuring the largest number of learners to date, aged from 13 to 52.

“Many of these learners face exponential challenges and barriers in their lives, whether struggling with school attendance, mental health problems, grief, illness, or a difficult crossroads. But by grasping the opportunity, showing up and persevering, they all completed the course, graduating with a sense of satisfaction, focus, increased confidence, and a readiness for what’s around the corner.  More than ever, every single graduate deserves huge praise for their achievements. They should be extremely proud of themselves and we wish them well with their next steps.”

For more information and to express an interest in taking part in Kindred Clothing, email hello@frontlounge.org, call/leave a message on (01382) 220330 or visit www.frontlounge.org

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

The Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee was formed in the mid-16th century to oversee the individual trades, including Tailors, helping them control their funds, creating a strong bargaining group and providing funds for charitable causes.  Today, the central focus of the organisation is to responsibly manage its charitable fund to support worthy local causes, educational bursaries and to promote the success and achievements of the City of Dundee.

Graduates:

JAN – FEB 2024

  1. Aimee Simpson
  2. Brooke McMillan
  3. Molly Caithness
  4. Nicole Thompson

FEB – MAR 2024

  1. Cally Thompson
  2. Kerry-Lee Lavery
  3. Kerry Livie
  4. Sam Hutchison
  5. Sophia Brymer
  6. Tracy Bayliss

MAY – JUN 2024

  1. Candi Murray
  2. Nico Mcleish
  3. Nicole McGregor
  4. Rhianne Grieve
  5. Sally Johnstone

JUL 2024

  1. Brooke Reid
  2. Charley Griffin
  3. Jack Fitzgerald
  4. Kirsten Dixon
  5. Nymeria Drayak