A day in the life: chris dickson, salon owner and stylist
"I'm woken just after 6am by my three huge Maine Coon cats demanding to be fed and watered. When I get up I log on to my emails to discuss up-and-coming photo shoots and fashion work, as well as update my social networking and business pages.
"Dickson Reid is at the heart of the Edinburgh fashion scene, and last year this saw us involved in 34 shoots, show and fashion events. It's a core part of our business. Although my clients are the best thing about my job, I also enjoy working outside of the salon, and have worked on everything from Miss World 2011 to QVC.
"My salon is bang in the middle of Edinburgh and I live in Fife, so I typically commute by car and have the joy of crossing the Forth Road Bridge each day which presents stunning views on a summer's morning - something that's been rare in Scotland this year!
"Sometimes, I take the train and walk to the salon - architecture is another love of mine and I absorb the beauty of Edinburgh as I wander.
"A typical morning will be a mix of styling regular clients, a briefing meeting with our manager, talking to creatives who I will be working with on shoots and spending time with the team and their clients - I try to talk to everyone who comes into Dickson Reid as we are known for our warm welcome.
"Afternoons see me styling clients and focusing on bridal wedding trials - I love this aspect of work and travel the country and abroad styling at wonderful weddings. My working day finishes typically by 7pm and I'll head off either to the gym, to an evening meeting, out to dinner or home for a spot of gardening. You'll rarely catch me not on the go.
"I've been hairdressing since I was 14, when I'd regularly cut and style the hair of all my friends at school. At 15 I walked past Edinburgh's leading salon and secured a two hour trial for the following Saturday. I ended up working the whole day and secured a permanent post on the Monday. I love this industry - the foundations of it never change but you have to keep dusting off the cobwebs to keep up with trends. There is no other job that I would rather do."
