Next to the more modest of Ice 9’s two stores nestles
Jugglers, selling - as the name might suggest - juggling gear and magic tricks.
Cyber kids may fancy a nose at their range of Poi equipment though.
A stones throw away from this cluster of Alternative stores
is Broad Street’s
Wild Clothing.
Geared to indie kids and retro lovers Wild deal in a mix of
genuine vintage and retro reproductions.
Paul Frank patterns and Batman belt
buckles crowd the window display and the look is a kind of geeky kitsch, with
the mannequins modeling 50s sundresses alongside lurid knitted tanks.
A testament that the 50s era is not just about bingo and other gambling games but also fashion and style.
Just up the road in Pelham Street Jade
Shoes can be found, selling styles ranging from the endorsed Tank Girl
13-hole Doc Marten, to chunky heeled, ultra-feminine leopard print courts
which rockabilly kittens with simply adore.
Plus their glitter-encrusted Dorothy spikes are the kind of
objects of beauty that cause grown women to splurge their entire payday packet
on footwear and happily endure freezing for the next month when they can’t
pay the gas bill.
Just off Pelham Street, tucked into a tiny alley, is Bodycraft
Tattoos, where both male and female tattooists and piercers are available
to punch holes in your flesh in the name of fashion.
Those in need of some liquid courage before they go under the
needle may be interested to know that Nottingham’s own Gothic-themed
Eerie Pub, The Pit And Pendulum is situated directly opposite.
Not that you
should ever drink before getting inked of course. Or that we would ever recommend
such a thing.
Bridlesmith Gate is another hotspot for unusual retailers.
Here
you’ll find giftshop The Tokenhouse
Which, behind the kids gear and cards, hides
some kitschy band merch (Rolling Stones Warhol tongue mug, anyone?) and cute
retro-style pin-up chick printed bags.
Bridlesmith is best for shoes though. It can
boast the Moda In Pelle footwear boutique, plus chain outlets with some interesting
items, Dune and Office.
The latter is great for picking up scenester
standards Converse in every print imaginable, along with quirky related merch
items, such as the Converse
City feature: Nottingham
Alt Fashion's contributor ventured up to Nottingham back in 2006 and discovered
there’s far more to Robin Hood country style than men in tights and
trashy T-shirts for tourists.
Also home to the legendary Rock
City club, as well as a thriving Goth scene and large student population,
Nottingham has all the alternative outlets to clothe the patrons of it’s
varied and vibrant nightlife. Here’s what we found...
First stop is Void
on Carlton Street.
A large, split level alternative clothing store catering mainly
to the Goth market, Void carries staple brands such as Emily Strange, Strangeways
and Stargazer along with many unique pieces of velvet and vinyl gear.
They
also stock a range of band merch items and a large selection of stack heeled
and stilettoed goodies from Fantasy Footwear.
A little further up Carlton Street you’ll find Ice 9,
a store selling all kinds of crazy clothing and curios which is divided into
two branches directly opposite one another.
The smaller outlet focuses on
alternative attire, while the main store, positioned on the corner with Heathcoat
Street, fills it’s two floors with jewelry, ornaments and cards.
The
upstairs has quite a hippyish feel, being stacked with printed scarves and
ethnic pendants and homewares, while the basement offers piercing jewelry
and gothic / rock threads.
Moda In Pelle, though pricey, is bound to have glam rock chicks swooning over its impressive selection of cowboy boots and uber-80s zebra print stilettos.
Also worth a mention is Market Street, where crafters will love The Bead Shop, stocking every size and shape of bead, plus plenty of other DIY project essentials.
A little further up Market Street is Page 45 comic shop also selling T-shirts, action figures and some bizarre books and obscure Japanese imports that may appeal to Lolitas seeking out that rare edition of FRUiTS. Plus next door Select-a-Disc is a must for hard-to-find music bargains.
Finally, VS2 on Mansfield Road is very much worth a look.
This unique store specializes in DIY’d, customized and handmade goodies, including the fabulous deathrock / psychobilly styled skull & ouijaboard print shoes of local designer Miss Fiendish.
Also on offer are Stargazer make-up products and hairdyes, clothes, badges, mags and bizarre gifts.
Cotm: Alison B, photos: Left lion