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New vintage designer clothes store 'Pretty New Clothing' opens in Elgin


By Ewan Malcolm

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A LOCAL businessman has opened a vintage designer clothes store in Elgin.

Pretty New Clothing is a new venture from Andrew Gentleman who owns Clean4Me in Elgin. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Pretty New Clothing is a new venture from Andrew Gentleman who owns Clean4Me in Elgin. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

Andrew Gentleman owns Clean4Me on South Street and has worked in the cleaning industry in Moray for over 20 years.

However, recently he has expanded the business to sell vintage designer clothes as well with his new venture 'Pretty New Clothing' - inspired by former Oasis star Liam Gallagher's own clothing label 'Pretty Green'.

Andrew says that the expansion came about "naturally" and that it was time to "try something new" after more than two decades working in the cleaning industry.

"We used to clean a lot of Forces uniforms so what would happen is people would see them and tell us how smart they looked," he said.

"Off the back of that I bought in a few uniforms just to display at first.

"From there it just kind of went from uniforms to vintage uniforms and then vintage clothing and nearly new clothing.

"That's really how it all came together."

Andrew said his expansion into selling clothes came about "naturally". Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Andrew said his expansion into selling clothes came about "naturally". Picture: Daniel Forsyth

Like many business owners in Moray, Andrew struggled to cope with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, his recent expansion into selling clothes alongside his cleaning business points towards a brighter future.

"Obviously it was a worrying time for us," he said.

"It was quite scary actually, as it was for a lot of businesses, but we've rode the storm.

"I've thought about doing this for a while so I'm glad that I've finally done it.

"I've had a great response so far and the laundrette side of the business is always busy so I'm hopeful it will stay that way for Pretty New Clothing as well."

Andrew says that the business sells a variety of clothing including vintage designer wear and some newer pieces alongside some footwear.

That includes Doc Martens, Converse, Bathing Ape t-shirts, vintage football shirts and a variety of other items.

However, Andrew warns that due to the nature of selling vintage or nearly new clothing, once something has sold it's gone.

"When I launched the Facebook page it just went crazy," he said.

"I've had so many people asking if I've got this or that but unfortunately when I get something and it sells then it's gone.

"I could expand more on the clothing side in the coming months as well but at the moment I'm just going to see how it goes and add things along the way.

"I've just really enjoyed it so far. I'm getting a bit of a buzz out of seeing this side of it and hopefully seeing it grow."


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