Clothes Show Live 2008

Celebrating 20 years as the world's largest fashion and beauty event, Clothes Show Live returns to Birmingham for the what is billed as the biggest show yet. Every year has been a huge success with the event dominating the majority of the expansive NEC, and this year looks to continue that with 500 leading fashion and beauty Brands attending, alongside an impressive 6,500 seat Fashion Theatre.

As we made our way through the crowds we came across Nazira from Candy Fusion who was more than happy to spend 5 minutes talking to us. She said being at the Clothes show was a great opportunity to promote the brand and also to gain awareness. So many people at the show were eager and willing to buy products from her stall. Having been at the show for all of the 6 days, she felt that they had made a fair bit of money, even though there is an economic recession. The "Credit Crunch" hadn't affected her company too much, but there was a feeling of people not wanting to spend too much money this year. So accordingly the prices had been reduced to compensate. Belts on sale for only £1 was a particular bargin, being snapped up by the eager show attendees. The belt buckles that Candy Fusion (www.candyfusion.co.uk) have as part of their range appeal to almost everyone as they're suitable for fans of music in general, in Nazira's own words "They're suitable for young people regardless of whether they like R'n'B or Rock".

Next stop - the well known "Punky Fish". As a general rule of thumb it's always wise to ask people before you take photographs, and most people are happy to oblige. Their stand was attractive and well laid out as ever, when asking if we could get a shot for our article we were left very disappointed. At the top of their game in the fashion world "Punky Fish" were firm in not wanting any photographs or interviews. The reason why this was the case is subject to pure speculation.

Walking through the masses of people we finally came across Stone. A leading fashion retailer. They supply shops such as Fenwicks and other leading department stores as well as independent stores. Their reason for being at the clothes show live? To give potential shoppers the chance of a potential bargain and to clear end of line stock. All of the products for sale were at clearance prices. Although I must say, for 'last season' or "End of line" bags at £10 they seemed very in fashion to me.

Walking around the busy chaotic clothes show, we came across "New ID Cosmetics". They were completely fantastic. With make up artists such as Jay Williams (Shayne Wards make up artist!). You could have a 'try before you buy' session. A free professional make over with products to suit your skin tones. Prices were fairly cheap for the good quality products that they sold, such as a non gloopy lipgloss that had a mirror and a light. Such a fantastic invention! International giants, Maybelline, were also offering make overs after purchasing their products.

The Clothes Show Live experience (and what an experience) is by many as "the" place to get noticed. Talent and model scouts are searching everywhere for 'the new face' of 2009. The major modelling agency that supports the clothes show live is Select. Not only are they searching for new models but are also giving great advice at their stand. For example, a large number of sites that you might come across on the internet could be scams or not fully committed modelling agencies. One of the major issues facing people wanting to break into modelling is that in their haste or eagerness they may be more susceptible to being "taken for a ride". So take note, most good modelling agencies would not charge you for essentials such as shooting a portfolio for you.Sadly a lot of young girls do fall into this trap, sometimes losing as much as £500. So what's the best way to get noticed? Send a headshot with no make up on to agencies. If you have what it takes, they'll be in touch.

Amongst the sprawling expanse of the Clothes Show and ranked masses of retail exhibitors and fashion houses, you can also find fashion colleges and magazine publishers. We were fortunate enough to speak to Ali, owner of "Your Hair" magazine amongst others (some with impressive circulation figures of around 70,000 ) very briefly, and she was kind enough to provide us with a copy of the latest issue. What a great magazine. I was treated to informative articles supplied with relevant, detailed and intriguing photos. Amongst others there were models boasting hairstyles by none other than one of the finalists in "British Hairdressing Awards 2008 Men's Collection" - Sally Brooks. A few pages later I happened upon some rather interesting photos of celebrities with inspirational hairdos and if that wasn't enough the 'you asked' page which contains guidance, tips and tricks on how to get that look for yourself at home.

With the 'credit crunch' on everybody's mind, my thoughts turned to the fashion industry. "Could even a monumental industry such as fashion be affected by recession?" - According to "Sophie" it has. Even with shows selling out and with the venues packed to the roof, the stalls are still potentially losing out on profits, but hope remains that some of the 'eager bargain hunters' will return the coming year.

However, for "Paris Hilton Hair Accessories" it was a different story. Girls paying £2 just for the bags. Not the products, the bags. Does this really show a recession? For the products this is their first time in the UK. Having been launched in LA over the summer they are soon to be taking the UK by storm. Amongst some of their range, a simple invention of a hair band.. with synthetic hair attached! The only synthetic hair extensions that are heat resistant. So they can curl or straighten. They can also be washed and conditioned like normal hair.

Having walked in unexpectedly to the catwalk show I thought I would sit and take a few photographs. It started all nice and dandy, gorgeous outfits and beautiful models. Then the swimwear was modelled. Some would question whether it was really age appropriate considering the amount of young girls there. Some as young as 12. Even though the show is aimed at an older age range, the tweeny teens are still around and can still view the same as the rest of us. With models performing provocative dance moves whilst showing off the skimpy, yet eye catching swimwear. Having said that, is it really any different from what they might see advertised on the high street, or indeed what's beamed into their living rooms in high definition?

The show ended with a bang as dancing and PVC outfits graced the crowds. All for a quick outfit change and an evening dress / suit section. The models jumped off stage into the crowd and really wowed the audience with their tap dancing. At the end of the show part of me was wishing for an encore but unfortuntly it didn't happen. The lights and music were fantastic, with a professional and slick stage crew morphing the stage into a variety of spectacular scenes, that only the Clothes Show are capable of doing on such a vast scale and with such efficiency.

Having walked around this year, the show seems smaller in comparison to last year. Is this because retailers are losing money, or have I become all too familiar with the layout? Have people have perhaps lost interest in one off products that they can only buy from the Clothes show? Maybe it might have something to do with the economic down turn? Stores however, have had to simply lower their prices, with hand made signs being put up claiming all products now £10. People may have either become more selective or are waiting to see which way the next UK financial forecast will go. Maybe by next year's Clothes Show Live that may have changed, hopefully for the postive.

- By Splat Infant