Press

at home with Gok Wan

October 2008, pages 74 and 128

Actress, Zoe Robinson, who later trained with Talking Image was interviewed about her experience in colour analysis

and...

Talking Image consultant, Belinda Ch'ng Bruh was interviewed on what it was like being an image consultant.

 'I discovered I could wear mustard yellow'

Zoe Robinson, 28, is an actress. She lives in south London.

'I'd always been interested in colour analysis. So when a friend, who had it done last year, turned up at a party looking totally fabulous in a blue top, a colour she didn't often wear, I thought I'd give it a go.

'The consultant tole me to arrive with no make-up on. She checked my eye colour, then asked me about my lifestyle, clothing needs and what colours I liked and disliked.

'She had rectangles of fabric called "drapes" in numerous colours, and classified into muted or bright, cool or warm and deep or light. She then draped them around me, near the collarbone, to find the best tones for me. The whole session took about an hour and at the end I was told my good, better and best colours. Good was light colours; better was muted and dusted colours, such as taupe, greyish blue and dusty Violet and best were warm warm, yellow-based colours. I discovered I could wear mustard yellow, which surprised me!

'The colour analysis has helped me to focus on what works for me. I like turquoise but it's a bit too bright for me, although it would suit me with a tan! But I can wear teal which is not too dissimilar to turquoise. I've also worn black jumpers in winter or when I was made-up and going out, but now I know that wearing black near my face washes me out.

'Colour analysis can really help you to see what works well together, and prevents you from continuing bad habits. It saves you money in the end as you will stop buying things that you know don't suit you. It has really boosted my self-esteem and I feel much more put together now. It was really helpful.'

To contact image consultant, Toshiko Kobatake, or book an appointment visit www.talkingimage.co.uk

The image consultant

Belinda Bruh is a freelance image consultant and works for Talking Image in north west London

'I was trained and worked as a clothes designer for 11 years and then I decided to do a 10-day intensive course with Talking Image, which taught me all about colour analysis.

'This is when you find out which colours and tones suit certain skin and hair colours. A lot of people find they put on an item of clothing and they don't feel comfortable in it, and this is usually because the tone is all wrong for them. As image consultants, we help our clients understand the tone of a colour that will suit them. For example, some people say they can't wear green, but often they haven't tried the tone of green that will suit them. We also analyse body proportions and this is split very basically into curved, semi-straight or straight. We can then find the clothes that will give our clients the right silhouette.

'Our clients can have a one-and-a-half hour or three-hour consultation. Afterwards, we will sometimes draw up a shopping list and then do a pre-shopping selection. Often, we'll take clients shopping and give the ideas of what to buy and which colours will complement them. Then next time they can do it for themselves.

'I work with both men and women. And I see all ages too from graduates looking to change their image from being a student and going into the world of work to women who have got stuck in a time zone.

'What I love is meeting so many different people and giving them back the confidence they have lost. We are not trying to change people's style, as everyone should have their own identity, but we want to give them new ideas.

'The main thing you need for this job is a love and knowledge of fashion, but also you need to enjoy meeting different people and have a passion for shopping. The only time I don't like shopping is when it's raining!'

For more information on Talking Image go to www.talkingimage.co.uk

For booking appointments or enquiries, please contact Toshiko:

Tel/Fax: +44 (0)20 8458 4597