{others about your trustworthiness or ability to communicate. She described Robertson's skin and hair tones as 'high contrast autumn'.
His response'.’ 'lt's a mixture of
common sense advice with specific points for you. She told me. for example. that I needed to work on my handshake. Because the colour advice is based on psychology. I can see how it would build your confidence. It‘s like having a faithf
Total lmage also offers sessions that can be a little cheaper. if only because they are broken down into more specialised ‘lessons’. Prices can start at £25 for a single lesson on topics from skincare or fashion ttpdates to style advice tailored specifically for teenagers. which leads to the question — how do the Bang Image and ltnpact teatn plan to go about persuading tnen to part with £250. the equivalent of. say. a weekend in Prague‘.’ llarper. as ever. has a quick answer. 'We‘d
say go to Prague the weekend after
the session: you‘ll have a much better time.‘
Bang Image and Impact sessions are taking place at the Men’s Store on 5 and 12 December.
Skate of the nation
New shops selling gear for skateboarders are springing up east and west. Katy McAuIay investigates.
ith two new skate shops opening up in (ilasgow. the city looks set to lttrc Scotland‘s bewheeled shoppers. nonchalantly flipping its deck at lidinburgh in the process.
Barely a month after opening his city centre store. business is booming for Bite owner. Mark McGowan. At first glance Bite might seem a bit like your ayeragc Quicksilver shop but a closer look uncovers its own clothing line. custom surf boards and the usual Animal. Vans and (irayis brands. Born out of a desire to cater to the needs of the liK‘s coldwatcr surfer.
Bite‘s main area of expertise is continually challenging the functionality of
a surlboard in Britain’s unique climate. but its range of clothing will still
cards - wrap - gifts
16 Stafford St. Edinburgh 0131 226 2390
53 Lothian Rd. Edinburgh 0131 228 2790
www.paportlg¢r.ltd.uk
New Improved Parking In The West End
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appeal to those who prefer to surf.
dry land.
Across town. lidinburgh’s skate shop Focus opens its first (ilasgow branch this month. lts ethos is to give something back to those who frequent the store with their skate team. competitions and \‘ltlL‘O premieres. And. the shop‘s Mark l‘oster says. they want to change attitudes towards skate shops. 'We want people to come in and look at boards and feel no pressure to buy anything.‘ he says. As well as boarder-esscntials such as decks and wheels. Focus will also stock clothing to appeal to those with only a passing interest in the skater lifestyle. The range includes lialkham. Dickies. Quiet Life. UXA and Nike SB and shoes you won‘t be able to get anywhere else in (ilasgow.
There‘s still a wealth of places for the boarder to shop in lidinburgh: the original Focus store. Route One and Boardwise house all the big names. and ()dd Ball Mall has specialist streetwear you won‘t find elsewhere in town. In (ilasgow. indie-skate shops (‘lan and Four Down have been trading for years alongside the designer l)r .lives and the (ilasgow branch of Boardwise.
Bite, 263 Byres Road, Glasgow, 0141 342 4442, www.bite- boards.co.uk; Focus, 7 Kings Court, 99 King Street, Glasgow, 0141 548 8777 www.focuspocus.co.uk.
GET. . . STOCKING FlllEllS
Katy McAu/ay gets one thing straight about Christmas tidbits.
I A bad stocking filler is a sign that you just don’t care. Children may be happy with a satsuma and a bag of chocolate coins, but adults are a little more demanding. It’s akin to fishing a lump of coal from your stocking and recipients of such ties should be given full licence to strangle the giver with them.
What to do in order to avoid another year of Yuletide family violence? The first piece of advice is this: know your audience. Ask friends and family members what they want - you may find that some are pretty definite. Hell, others may even go out and buy their own presents on your behalf, cutting out the middleman.
Those who choose not to furnish you with a list can be dealt with in other ways. I’ve got three words for the citizens of Edinburgh - Christmas Design Fairs.
These sparkly little affairs can furnish you with gifts that are a little more imaginative and a little less readily available than what you might wade through on the high street. For instance, the Edinburgh College of Art Masters of Design Exhibition, which runs from 8-14 December in the Sculpture Gallery, will feature up-and- coming postgraduate talent. Visitors can buy artwork, jewellery, furniture, glasswork and fashion. It’s quirky stuff; if you think your dad might love a sustainable, environmentally friendly electric guitar, this is the place for you.
Those after a gift a little less out there should pay a visit to the last of a series of fairs held by Velvet Boutique on 18 December at the Dance for All Studios, St Stephen Street. Expect knitted textiles, handmade books and imaginative fashion pieces and accessories — sporran- inspired bags by lnverness- based Sporran-Nation will feature, while the printed women’s scarves and men’s ties by Greenock-based designer Clare Nicholson should satisfy those novelty tie urges.