The Magic of Christmas
Seventeen Dundee children took to the catwalk last night to raise funds for their after-school club.
The children are part of Front Lounge group Adventures of the Little People, who meet every week at the charity’s headquarters at The Workshop on Hilltown.
All photography – credit Grant Keelan, PPG Photography.
Adventures of the Little People took its first steps back in 2008 when it came to the charity’s attention that a group of eight-year-olds were looking for something fun to do. The group met regularly until 2013, participating in various creative activities from animation and bookmaking to music, drawing and live performances. As these children grew, the group came to a natural end, and the charity’s focus shifted to supporting young parents through support group, Bringing Up Baby (BUBS).
Adventures of the Little People has since been resurrected and attended by a new generation, including some of the BUBS participants whose children are now primary school pupils aged between five and eleven.
Brooke Burns.
During the charity’s festive celebration, The Magic of Christmas, held at Mains Castle, Dundee, the group showcased clothes designed and made by the charity’s Kindred Clothing community. The makers were a combination of local secondary school pupils, young people and adults, including some Kindred Clothing graduates and others hoping to embark on the course in 2025.
Inspired by the Christmas carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, all the clothes and props were made from offcuts, donated and recycled material with expert guidance from award-winning fashion technologist, Christie Wanless, supported by Kerry-Lee Avery and the Sew Much More group.
Molly Caithness (17), who started Kindred Clothing after struggling with attendance at school, graduated in the summer of 2024. She has now returned to school, focusing on her education and a part-time job.
Molly said, “After I completed Kindred Clothing, I wanted to carry on doing something with Front Lounge as the charity has made such a difference to me and my life. But this time, I wanted to do something that wouldn’t just benefit me. I wanted to give back and shape a project I could get stuck into. So, I came up with the idea of a fundraiser for Adventures of the Little People, involving the kids themselves, where people could donate what they could. To me, it’s really important because some kids in Dundee just don’t have anywhere to go or anything to do. To have this input from a younger age supports their development and helps them become good people. It also helps them burn off their energy and just have fun! Everyone loved making the clothes, and the theme was so cute; I’m grateful to everyone for getting involved and coming along to support us as we move forward with plans for the year ahead.”
With a special appearance from Santa himself, the event also featured live music from Libby Hutchinson and Jay Salazar alongside Shadow of the Fire Circus and children’s entertainer, Jamie the Jester.
To discover more about Front Lounge activities, visit www.frontlounge.org
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS –
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. Since its launch in 2020, over 50 learners have completed the course, ranging in age from 12 to 52.