Fandango

It seems that anyone who is anyone this winter is off snowboarding this Christmas. It beats me why people want to spend time in the cold - but then I've never experienced that buzz you supposedly get from whizzing down those snowy slopes, so I don't suppose I can comment. If you're in doubt about which clothes to wear, Mambo - already firmly established as one of the premier surf labels - have launched Mambo Whitegoods snowwear. So, now you can take their unique summer style through to winter. To ensure the finest results, Mambo have pushed snowboarders off the tallest, most dangerous mountains and offered them cash incentives to ski into the biggest trees possible. Why? So that they can develop the ultimate protective shells for snowboarding in parts of the world as yet undiscovered by National Geographic. The range consists of snowboard jackets from around pounds 150 and snowboard jeans from pounds 120 - the list goes on... Enquiries: 0181 741 2444.

Personally, I'd much rather wear the odd sequin or two. And so does the ever-expanding Luther Vandross by the look of him last week at his Wembley concert. He glistened and shone like a bright star in the midnight sky and almost blinded the crowd - still his voice made up for it. Yes, I know I leave myself open to ridicule by admitting that I attended such an old fuddy duddy's concert. Do I care?

I am panicking about Christmas - not what to buy everybody (I purchased all my gifts back in June at sale prices) but simply how to wrap them. You see, what concerns me is those features in the December issues of those posh mags on how stylish people wrap their gifts creatively. I usually pop down the market and buy ten sheets of paper for pounds 1. Still, it spoils the surprise when you can see the pressie through the paper. Anyway, this year I'm going to experiment with some de rigueur DIY and use recycled loo paper, stencilled with a wonderful holly design made with my own fair hand no less. Much cheaper than cinnamon sticks and hessian bows. Oh, and by the way, this year I'll be spending Christmas on St Barts - naturally.

Covent Garden seems to be the place to open a shop this month - and why not? First shoes. Sole Trader (I've never heard of these people, I must be a little behind) are to unveil a "revolutionary new retail concept." They've chosen various brands, including Patrick Cox loafers and DKNY brogues, to compliment their own brands Sole Trader and Sole Sister. More of a haven for guys than us girls as two thirds of their stuff will be aimed at men. Luckily, many of the styles will be available in smaller sizes for those of us who are into that androgynous look this winter. Sole Trader, 72 Neal Street, London WC2.

Just down the road from Sole Trader, Pepe Jeans are opening their flagship store at the junction of Earlham Street and Shelton Street on 29 November. It'll be worth a visit just to take a peep at the three-storey denim wall, stocking 10,000 pairs of jeans - wowee! There is no excuse for not having your size in store, then. Plus, there is also a chill-out area where you can relax on sofas and sample pre-release albums. Pepe, 25 Neal Street, London WC2.

Not a week goes by without me mentioning a footballer, and this week it's Ruud Gullit. Why? Because he has launched a range of clothing in conjunction with soccer brand Admiral. Aimed at the fashion-conscious male, the range will include T-shirts, polo shirts, knitwear, jackets and a distinctive range of underwear. All soon to be stocked at Jones (Covent Garden, again) and the Kings Road Sporting Club in Chelsea. Ruud will also be - wait for it - modelling the undies for the ad campaign. I'll keep my eye out for that one, Ruudi! Ere we go, ere we go, ere we go...