Fashionistas are a special breed. When these thin, frazzled, frequent flyers contract the lurgy or lethargy, they don’t stock up on Lemsip, linctus or Boots multivitamins like the rest of us. Oh, no. They phone their catwalk chums and seek out the person everyone swears will solve their problem. After all, fashion foxes demand the best, be it the season’s hottest accessory or an acclaimed acupuncturist. So if your skin is lacking lustre, those last 5lb need shedding, your digestive system wants detoxing or the bloat’s got to be beaten, here’s who to call. Expect to wait, however, as they’re often in demand and sometimes very elusive.
AMANDA GRIGGS
DETOX QUEEN
On the BlackBerry of every Chelsea-ite, the nutritionist and iridologist Amanda Griggs looks at all aspects of her patients’ lives and, using a specially created computer program, delivers a life-changing prescription of tailor-made dietary advice, relaxation techniques and — for the very brave — colonic hydrotherapy. She also designs personalised detox and weight-loss programmes to ensure her clients stay comfortable in their 27in Seven jeans, even post-holiday blowout. Expect a thorough grilling on your lifestyle and emotional state.
Devotees The make-up artist Jemma Kidd
Where to go Balance, 250 King’s Road, SW3; 020 7565 0333. From £80
For a nutritional therapist near you Contact the British Association for Nutritional Therapy; 0870 606 1284
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DR RAJENDRA SHARMA
THE CURE-ALL
While most of us ignore unusual ailments or take them to a GP (who dismisses them), fashion folk pay for the privilege of someone being very interested indeed. Dr Rajendra Sharma is passionate about solving patients’ maladies and works hard to get to the root of your problem. He is a fully qualified doctor who combines conventional medicine (the clinic keeps your GP up to date with your progress) with alternative treatments and complementary therapies. An Integrated Screen, which includes osteopathic assessment, blood analysis, a detailed medical examination, saliva and hair-mineral analysis, is the most popular choice for newcomers. Questions are probing and personal.
Devotees Naomi Campbell
Where to go The Diagnostic Clinic, 50 New Cavendish Street, W1; 020 7009 4650, www.thediagnosticclinic.com. From £150
For a complementary practitioner near you Contact the International Guild of Professional Practitioners; 0118 973 5757
ANGELA MANSFIELD
ACUPUNCTURE ANGEL
The actress and model Sienna Guillory (Colin Firth’s nasty girlfriend in Love Actually) credits Angela Mansfield with banishing her headaches. Others praise her ability to help with digestion and stress. The first session lasts 1-2 hours, with Mansfield spending at least 45 minutes getting a full case history, exploring your physical and emotional health. She then pinpricks for 45 minutes, lulling most patients into such a state of relaxation that they are unaware of anything but the tiniest tingle. A-listers love her for her miracle work with IBS, migraines and fertility.
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Devotees Sienna, hip music types
Contact Angela on 07951 664924. From £40
To find an acupuncturist near you Contact the British Acupuncture Council; 020 8735 0400, www.acupuncture.org.uk
DR GANG ZHU
BABY MAKER
On any given Tuesday, chances are The Life Centre in Kensington has more style seekers per square foot than Harvey Nichols. A large number of them are there to visit Dr Gang Zhu, whose unique combination of acupuncture and Chinese medicine helps people who have been struggling to conceive. Mothers-to-be describe his treatment as “truly miraculous”. He also specialises in menopausal problems, hormone imbalances, IBS and ME treatments.
Devotees Bianca Jagger, Vivienne Westwood, Björk, Anna Chancellor
Where to go The Life Centre, 15 Edge Street, W8; 020 7221 4602, www.thelifecentre.com. The first session costs £60 for a consultation and treatment. Follow-up treatments are £45 for 30 minutes
To find a fertility practitioner near you Visit www.fertilityuk.org or call 0845 310 1334
MAKI
STRESS SAVIOUR
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When the strains of superstardom become too much, Primrose Hill’s A-list boho posse book a session with Maki, a miracle-working masseur, whose unique mix of massage techniques (taking the best that Swedish massage, aromatherapy and shiatsu have to offer) makes for the most spine-tingling treatment. After an initial consultation, Maki disappears into an “apothecary” that stocks every type of aromatherapy essential oil and makes up a personalised blend to target whatever concerns you have that day. Her technical skill and respectful, reserved nature make her London’s most-wanted masseur.
Devotees Fashion editors, the party-hard Primrose Hill set
Where to go Shengaia, 2 Erskine Road, NW3; 020 7722 2838, www.shengaia.com. From £50
To find a massage therapist near you Contact the General Council for Massage Therapy; 0151 430 8199, www.gcmt.org.uk
DR CHARLES BALE
FAT BUSTER
Front-row fashion mavens have an unparalleled fear of cellulite (ruins the look of your Liza Bruce swimsuit, dontcha know?), so now they are visiting Dr Charles Bale for mesotherapy. First he scrutinises your lifestyle, then he settles you on his couch and comes at you with a gun that holds mini needles that prick the skin and propel a fat-fighting formula 4mm deep into it. Painful indeed, but less effort than the gym. After a bit of initial swelling, the skin looks smoother and firmer.
Devotees Linda Gray (Dallas) and others too A list to mention
Contact Dr Bale on 01883 740005. From £50
To find a mesotherapy practitioner near you Visit www.consultingroom.com
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JOHANNA PRINS
TENSION TERMINATOR
Fashion shoots may sound like fun, but when the model has PMT, the photographer is having a creative crisis and the hairdresser’s boyfriend won’t leave his wife, you’ve got a stressful situation on your hands. Therefore, top photographers are now insisting on a masseur in the studio to defuse the drama — but there’s a strict hierarchy as to who gets first dibs (photographer, model, stylist, then assistants). Everybody is queuing up for the talents of Johanna Prins, whose firm hand and ability to lull people into a state of relaxation is second to none. Her presence on last year’s Prada advertising shoot quickly dispersed any brewing tantrums.
Devotees Samantha Mumba, Prada models
Contact Johanna on 07974 640861. From £40
To find a massage therapist near you Contact the General Council for Massage Therapy, as above
VIRGINIA WHETTER
REFLEXOLOGIST
Whetter’s clients revere her as much as Chanel employees do Mr Lagerfeld. She combines reflexology with healing, and an hour’s session will change your life. What started off as a hobby became a full-time job 10 years ago to meet the demands of her high-profile clientele. Her work also helps to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, stress and pregnancy. Clients report a serene experience during the treatment, followed by an intensely relaxed feeling afterwards.
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Devotees Virginia won’t tell, but you will have heard of them
Contact Virginia on 020 7221 4602. From £50
To find a reflexologist near you Contact the Association of Reflexologists; 0870 567 3320, www.aor.org.uk
DR GOWRI MOTHA
PREGNANCY GURU
For the famous, the joys of pregnancy are more about buying mini-me Juicy Couture than actually giving birth. Dr Gowri Motha takes the fear factor away. A qualified obstetrician who realised that conventional medicine alone wasn’t giving women the births they wanted, Motha decided to use massage, meditation, reflexology and dietary advice to ensure mothers are birth-fit and, thus, less likely to suffer complications. Beloved by A-listers for her holistic, multifaceted approach.
Devotees Elle Macpherson, Heather Mills
Where to go Viveka, 27A Queen’s Terrace, NW8; 020 7483 3788. From £125
To find a natural-pregnancy practitioner near you Contact The National Childbirth Trust; www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com
SEKA NIKOLIC
THE ENERGY GIVER
Hectic schedules and jet-setting around the globe can wreak havoc with even the most seasoned fashion insider’s energy levels. Luckily, they have the bio-energy practitioner Seka Nikolic to rebalance their flow. It’s a hands-off treatment, during which Nikolic’s hands hover about 10cm above the body as she draws out negative energy and channels positive energy in. Sounds too wacky? Well, such is her talent that Milan’s Scientific Institute for Bio-Energy Research created a new classification category, specifically to describe her exceptional healing powers.
Devotees Kylie, Joely Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave, Seal Where to go The Hale Clinic (0870 167 6667) or The Kailash Centre (020 7722 3939); or visit www.sekanikolic.com. From £75 for 30 minutes
To find a bio-energy healer near you Contact the Institute for Complementary Medicine; 020 7237 5165