New exhibition hits city centre celebrating Glasgow’s East End

The City Heritage Trust has brought a brand-new exhibition to their offices in Glasgow city centre. ‘Eastern Ground’ showcases some of the latest work of bespoke tailor, Alis Le May. 

Originally debuting at Strangefield in Dalmarnock, the exhibition flaunts six designs based on iconic buildings in the East End of Glasgow.

Featuring in the Heritage Trust’s Bell Street location are three of the garments, each with its own story.

Barrowfield Weaving Mill, Dalmarnock.

Modelled by former postman Donald Forbes, this kimono coat represents the old Weaving Mill, built in 1889, which has been restored over the years and had new life breathed into it. The design features a variety of reds from master dyer Julia Billings to reflect the red brickwork of the Weaving Mill.

Tollcross Winter Gardens, Tolcross.

Built in 1848 and modelled by Sally Leslie, a member of project contributors Shettleston Local History Group, this garment. Decorated with sun-bleached cornflowers, this design is poignant in its remembrance of the formerly beautiful gardens, which unfortunately have no foreseeable plans to be returned to their former glory.

Templeton Carpet Factory, Calton

This one is modelled by Lillian Kelly, a former employee of the factory which was built in 1892. The factory used to create carpets featured around the world, from various foreign embassies to the White House. It closed in 1984 to be converted into a business centre and now functions as a lifestyle village following a £22 million conversion in 2005. The design features seed-grown cornflowers which mimics the design of the building.

The exhibition also features work from master dyer Julia Billings and her Mapping East End Colour Project. It features samples which were gathered from flora gathered within a mile of her studio in Bridgeton. 

Billings has also collaborated with Alis Le May on a number of her designs.

The exhibition highlights the beauty of old Glasgow and shows the artist’s heart truly is in the East End. 

The Heritage Trust are hosting the exhibition until May 3rd and is open on two weekends: Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April, and Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April. 

They are open each day from 10am-4pm, it’s completely free so I’d recommend sticking your head in and taking a look around.