Cruise Control; The mecca for dedicated followers of fashion has held

Sunday Herald, The, Oct 5, 2003 by Elizabeth McMeekin

Perhaps with the extra competition in mind, Gibson is also considering new ventures, such as opening a new accessory-only store in Scotland, and possibly an outlet in London based on the 1980s boutique values that he so loves at the moment - but shrewdly he will confirm neither.

More definite are plans to open two new stores on Edinburgh's George Street by March next year - one stand-alone Cruise store, the other a Hugo Boss store which will be managed by Cruise.

Glasgow it-girl and stylist, Kelly Cooper-Barr is looking forward to the next phase of Gibson's chain. Cooper-Barr can still remember the first store in Edinburgh and the effect it had on her as a teenager.

"When it first opened Cruise was this really cool shop in Edinburgh with really great assistants who ended up being in your social circle.

"The thing about Cruise is that it caters for everyone - the jeans shop is for the young and funky and then you have your really up- market store."

Sunday Herald fashion editor Eva Arrighi is more doubtful, pointing out that the head-to-toe designer look isn't as popular as it once was.

"It's not all about being label driven any more," she explains. "Glasgow is notorious for being slavish to labels and designer names, but we have all grown up now and that is no longer what we want.

"If people want to dress from the high street or pick up some vintage pieces and mix and match then that's okay now as well."

But as Gibson has proved throughout his 21 years in the business, designer labels will probably always have a place in the fashionista's heart, however much that may fly in the face of current trends. And as Cruise has got it right for so many years there remains only one question left to ask - what's in this season?

"We always get asked that," quips Cruise buyer Mary McGowne. "But really the only trend I can spot is the one not to be a trend - individuality, that's what's in for this winter."