Press

at home with Gok Wan

October 2008, cover page, pages 73 and 74

Toshiko was interviewed about colour analysis and how you can benefit from knowing your complimenting colour tones.

Be honest now. Is your wardrobe a colour-free zone? are your clothes firmly rooted in black, black and even more black, perhaps with the odd flash of...surely not...grey and brown? Let's face it, black is the colour traditionally worn to funerals, so dressing yourself in it, day in, day out, is hardly likely to make you feel cheerful. 

However, for many of us, adding colour to our wardrobe is a scary prospect. We feel safe - and, the big one, slimmer - in black, we think it's flattering and, there's no denying it, it is classic and stylish. But even those of us who do brave colour sometimes get it wrong.

But colour, in all areas of your life - whether it be in your home or your clothes - says a lot about you. And, if you choose the ones that work for you, it'll add zest to your wardrobe and help to keep you feeling happy.

So how do you make sure you wear the colours that leave you brimming with confidence?

Colour complements

Toshiko Kobatake, an image consultant based in London, explains, 'When you wear a colour, you don't want the colour to stand out more than you. Even if you love the colour, the colour may not love you!

How may times have people said to you, "I love your top". What they're actually doing is complimenting your top, not you. What you want people to say is, "Wow, you look fantastic in that!" It's really important to realise that people could say they love a top when it's on a rail in a shop!'

Toshiko continues, 'In fact, almost anybody can wear any colour but it depends what kind of red or blue. As image consultants, we focus on the colour characteristics, not the colours themselves.'

Tones and shades

Colour analysis is a way of finding out what colours suit you - that most enhance your natural colouring, such as your hair, eyes and skin tone.

Toshiko uses the tonal method of colour analysis, which is based on whether you have either warm tones (yellow-based colours) or cool tones (blue-based colours), as opposed to the seasonal method, where you find out whether or not you are a Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter colour person. 'The tonal method of colour analysis is pretty versatile,' says Toshiko, 'as there are more than 70 categories to choose from. We look at skin tone, how clear your skin is and how healthy it looks - it's known as depth, clarity and undertone.

Wearing the right colour tones makes you look healthier and more vibrant. And even if you really love a certain colour, but colour analysis shows it doesn't suit your tone you can still wear it if you want to. However, the important rule is not to wear that colour near your face. It really makes a difference if you wear colours that suit you around your face - in fact it makes a biggest difference to how you look and feel. The biggest mistake is made with black. Yes, it can be slimming, but if you wear it near your face it often makes many people look tired and sallow.

'I wouldn't tell people to chuck out all their black clothes, says Toshiko, 'but I'd work on black as a base and add colour to it'

'Be wary of what you think you know about colour - black does make you look slimmer but there are no other hard and fast rules. It's rubbish to say that redheads can't wear reds - I love the idea of redheads in red, it's all about your personality and what you can carry off...'

COLOUR SUPPLEMENT

Five ways to add a splash of colour to your wardrobe

1 Clothes - we do it with colour in our homes, so start doing it with your clothes, too! Little splashes of colour can make all the difference to your outfit. try wearing a coloured scarf or having a camisole peeking seductively out of a top.

2 Jewellery - a necklace, a ring, a bangle - the choice is endless and with high-street finds being so stylish and such good value, you've no excuse not to have a rainbow range of colours bursting out of your jewellery box.

3 Bags - we all love'em so instead of playing safe with black, be brave and go bright and bold with your choice of bag colour. As with jewellery, there are some great designer lookalike bags on the high street that won't break the bank.

4 Shoes - you might not have the funds to be the next Imelda Marcos, but wearing shoes in a colour is a really good way to start experimenting with colour. Wearing a lighter colour shoe really helps to brighten your look and isn't too scary if you still find wearing colour difficult.

5 Belts - a fantastic way to add a bit of brightness to the centre of your outfit. Wear them loosely over cardigans, on trousers, snugly around dresses, the choice is yours. There are hundreds of styles available so, again, no excuse!

For booking appointments or enquiries, please contact Toshiko:

Tel/Fax: NEW +44 (0)20 7476 4445