 |  | Feature by Faye, web producer
Clotheshow Live 2003 was on at the NEC from 5-10 December. I went along with a camera to bring you the best of the event's action.
Online gallery
See for yourself how the 2003 event hit the NEC by mooching through the photo gallery. Just click the images button below to launch the pictures.
| |  | Alex Parkes on stage at Clotheshow Live
|
They call it "The biggest fashion event in the world" and it was certainly very big, but like many NEC shows, it was very dominated by shopping.
What saved Clotheshow Live from just being the world’s biggest shopping event, however, were a series of really professional catwalk shows, cheesy games and give-aways, break-dancing displays and a host of demonstrations.
Oh and there were celebrities, too, like Vernon Kay, the Sugababes, Alex Parkes, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Darius and Lisa Mafia, but spotting them was as rare as finding a fashion gem in your size in a bargain bin.
| |  | There's plenty of shopping to be had
|
Having said all this, the shopping shouldn’t be over criticised, you should just be aware that’s what you’re really getting from Clotheshow Live. There were lots of big high street, designer and alternative names, all selling a great range of stuff.
The really popular stands sold well-known clobber at bargain prices, but there were also really interesting less-well known makers at the show.
Some of the highlights were unique hand-made shoes, beautiful hats, very fine jewels, student designers and a surprising range of men’s skirts (sorry lads, of course I mean kilts).
Shopping really was on the top of the agenda for everyone I spoke to, but there were plenty of other reasons to be at the show.
| |  | It's the place to show what you've got!
|
Yes, the dream lived on. The show attracted a number of talent spotters and many hundreds more hopefuls. Conspicuous in their highest heels (mostly the girls!) or tightest tops (both sexes), the wannabes made for good people-watching while you have a break from shopping.
Some of them really were model material, too, so don’t let my five-foot-nothing bitter cynicism put you off giving it a go in future!
| |  | The direct approach to selling pants
|
Thanks to some of the above, a lot of beautiful people flocked to Clotheshow Live so you can’t help imagining it was fertile ground for pulling or being pulled.
There were a number of chill-out and bar areas that are ideal for trying your lines on the person or persons that caught your eye. Who knows, their exhaustion from shopping might have just given you the edge.
| |  | Inspiration from the catwalk shows
|
I’m not still talking about pulling, honest! There were a number of demos and things to try that really add to the girly feel of a trip to the show.
Fake tans, hair extensions, airbrush tattoos and even total re-styles and makeovers were on offer, which ranged from very funny to actually very impressive. These were a definite to egg your friends on to try.
It was fun, exhausting, inspiring and a cut above your average day’s clothes shopping.
You just had to be prepared to come out with heavy bags and an empty purse.
|
