MAXINE GORDON meets two young fashion entrepreneurs flying the flag for the small trader

RETAIL wars take many shapes and forms, from the battle between the city centre and out-of-town shopping parks to the ongoing onslaught of internet trading on brick-and-mortar businesses.

We are three years into Mary Portas's campaign to save the high street, backed by the Government in a multi-million pound package of measures to help town-centre traders. In the run up to Christmas, retail expert Portas (former creative director at Harvey Nichols and sometime broadcaster) has urged the Government to do more.

York has faced its own challenges, not least in the opening of the Vangarde outlet this April, that brought a giant Next and M&S to the the outskirts of the city, alongside a much-anticipated John Lewis. Oh, and 1,340 free car parking spaces too.

And yet the city centre remains an enticing prospect for entrepreneurs. York has an enviable mix of household-name chains as well as an eclectic range of independents lining its historic streets.

Among the newest indie names on the block are Harper and Carr in Fossgate. Opened just three weeks ago, it is the brainchild of friends Rebecca Carr and Greg Harper, who met while studying at the London College of Fashion.

The shop is understated, matching the utilitarian designs of the pair who have been inspired by the androgynous style of Japanese labels such as Comme des Garcons.

Many of the pieces on display in their Fossgate boutique and workshop are unisex. All are prototypes with designs made to order for customers. Fabrics are natural and from the UK – linens from Ireland and wool from two West Yorkshire mills.

The couple hand-dye garments themselves: either in an old bath in Greg's backyard, or in a plastic garbage bin. They use natural ingredients much of the time: nettles for a pale green or yellow; rosehips for coral and blackberry leaves for grey.

They had some great results with coffee too, using grounds supplied by the Stanley & Ramona café on Bishopthorpe Road.

"They made a really good colour," says Rebecca."I dyed a scarf and it was a really rich, dark brown. But next time, I couldn't get anywhere near the same colour."

Such are the vagaries of hand-dying, that colour batches will never quite match. Not that Rebecca and Greg mind. Their ethos is about as far as you can get from the notion of fast fashion – where the latest trends are turned around double quick for the likes of Primark, H&M and New Look.

Greg said: "We are not particularly interested in the season. We want things to last and to have some longevity. We even offer free repairs to garments for up to three years after purchase. We want people to keep wearing them and using them."

Having said that, the pair are planning some lighter-weight wool garments for spring. Just now, their collection is dominated by coats in a heavy, felted wool, as well as jackets in a lighter, woollen flannel. There are shirts, and kilts and trousers - all designed to be worn by women or men.

The shop isn't just a showcase for their designs, but also an outlet for the latest art and style magazines as well as items from ceramicists and jewellers they admire. There are some hand-made greetings cards too, making it a worthy visit if you are looking for an individual gift.

The couple are delighted to open a shop in York. It's something, says Greg, they simply could not have afforded to have done in London.

They are encouraged by the amount of other local, independent traders on Fossgate and see no reason why the street shouldn't ape the success of Bishopthorpe Road in South Bank. Rebecca said: "Hopefully Fossgate will get even better if more businesses see that this is the place to come. There's room for more independent shops."

Harper and Carr, 41 Fossgate, York. Online: harperandcarr.co.uk

Twitter: @MaxineYGordon