Glasgow student Andy Murray conjures up fashion accessories from tat

Aug 6 2009 By Frank Hurley

Andy Murray

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STUDENT Andy Murray has wiped the opposition with his remarkable collection of cheap accessories made from tea towels.

He dishes out those hideous souvenir cloths in the shape of laptop bags, wallets, wristwatch straps, belts and shopping bags into "must have" gear.

Andy, from Pollokshields, uses fabric glue and tea towels bought for less than s1 in supermarkets or souvenir shops at home or abroad.

His credit crunch apparel was inspired by the satisfaction he got from growing his own vegetables and herbs in pots in his flat while studying product design at Edinburgh Napier University.

Andy, 22, said: "In these cash-strapped times I thought people would get a lot of satisfaction of using cheap materials to make fashion accessories - just like I do in growing veg to reduce living costs.

"Most people buy or are given souvenir tea towels which end up stuck in a drawer for years.

"My booklets give easy to follow instructions on how to cut out shapes for accessories and glue them together - simple as that.

"As the credit crunch ushers in a new age of austerity, designers have to look at what the consumers need and want from products."

The snazzy accessories were displayed at the New Designers 2009 exhibition in London last month.

But Andy didn't get a coveted Design & Art Direction award for tea towel transformations. He got the award for his "Sea Defence" furniture collection that he designed.

Andy was the only Scottish student shortlisted for the Oscars of the design industry from thousands of entries from around the world.

His achievement followed successful exhibitions at the Ideal Home Show 2009 and Napier's recent Creative Showcase.

Andy also recently exhibited his Kitchen Toolbox at the Ideal Home Show 2009.

He was one of just 15 students from the UK chosen to exhibit.

Find out more at: andymurraydesign.com