My name is Abby Gray, I’m 22 years old and I am one of the 2023 Platform project co-ordinators for Dumfries Music Collective. I wanted to introduce myself and welcome you to CLAES, my online zine.

I first got a sewing machine when I was about 10 and since then I have been teaching myself to alter and make my own clothes. I’m really passionate about slow fashion and vowed only a few years later to try and only buy second hand clothing. This was obviously a bit of a journey, especially when I moved from my tiny village to Edinburgh for university and discovered the wonders of being able to walk to TK Maxx. However, I’ve persevered over the years and now I think probably 90% of my wardrobe is second-hand.

I love going to gigs and events and I’ve always found these the most creative and fun to create outfits for. I’m a bit obsessed with looking at what bands and musicians wear on stage and how the clothes can affect the tone of a gig. When I got this opportunity to create a project, I really wanted to try and make DIY fashion more accessible by making a resource with tutorials, information and inspiration for making your own clothes, why buying second hand is important and how to create and wear amazing pieces without spending that much money.

Later this year there will be photographs released of a collection made by Same Foot’s amazing Jody Barnacle-Best and myself. The collection is based on the music and style of a musician who I will announce a bit later on, keep an eye on our instagram!

I am always looking for suggestions for blogs, tutorials and features, so please send any my way (claes.zine@gmail.com). If you would like to write a thought piece about music or fashion or sustainability, we would love to see you on CLAES, just pop me an email.

Thank you for checking out my website, I’m so excited for what’s to come and to share with you everything I’ve been working on.