This week the Fashion North, ventured south of Sunderland to Birmingham to visit The Clothes Show Live at the NEC.
We were treated to an array of beauty labels like Barry M, Rimmel and Models Own, all offering their new season and classic go to products at bargain prices.
Clothing brands were there in abundance showcasing sample sizes, timeless wardrobe staples and items ready for the next season from Alice Takes A Trip, Bolongaro Trevor and Bora Aksu.
The height of the Clothes Show is the show itself, which is a spectacle and a half. The MC being Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, who was one of a few stars from the reality TV series to appear at The Clothes Show Live. Laing got the crowd going before the show started.
The show took us on a journey to the streets of New York including the financial district – Wall Street and Central Park. Taking us through neon colours at New York Fashion Week with models wearing Serbia designer Ana Ljubinkovic, whose clothing combines cameo style prints on silk mini skirts, day dresses and long-sleeved crop tops. Up and coming streetwear designer Ema Ranger also featured with block coloured panel creations, alongside high street giant Topman and shoe brands Irregular Choice.
The penultimate part of the show saw the modelesque dancers recreate Studio 54, an old disco haunt of the legends from the 60s and 70s. The performers wore ensembles gowns and urban creations in metallic with hints of black by Giles Deacon, Unconditional and Sorapol.
The finale saw Batman’s Arkham Asylum in Gotham brought to life. As models wore sharp tailoring from Hugh Harris, urban streetwear brand KTZ as well as high street dresses from H&M, catering to every taste and budget within the Fashion Theatre.
After the show everyone descended back on the stalls for one final shopping spree, and to check out the other smaller catwalks with the likes of Hilary Alexander, who showcased some of the newest and best British talent around.
With our feet throbbing, hands hurting from carrying our latest purchases and our head filled with what’s to come, we headed back to the bus for the five-hour coach back to the North East. See you again next year Clothes Show Live, it was a blast.
