Clothes Show Live 2008
Clothes Show Live celebrated it's 20th anniversary this week and it did so in spectacular fashion.
The highlight of the event was the catwalk show, hosted on Sunday by Dave Berry, who was joined on stage by hot new actor Alex Pettyfer wearing a flat cap given to him by Brad Pitt. They were soon joined on stage by The Saturdays who looked amazing in an array of black dresses and added a pop of colour to their outfits with two tone tights, the front half black and the back in a variety of bright colours.
Following the Saturday's performance the stage transformed into a country mansion set and the catwalk show began. The runway performance with interspreced with fantastic dance routines from the multi talented models. The first set of outfits saw a lot of sparkle, courtesy of silver sequins. The dresses featured high, ruffled necks and lots of white fabric in an almost raggedy layered way. Their was certainly a Victorian inspiration with lots of lace and pearls. Eyes were dramatically smokey, courtesy of Jemma Kidd.
The stage then transformed into a snowy theme with the men wearing parkers and ski goggles while they performed a street dance. The girls wore coats with giant fur hoods and fur scarves. Key colours were dark shades of blue and plum. Beanie hats were adorned with feathers and long circle knit cardigans were worn under parkers. The stand out piece was a gorgeous white beaded shift dress worn with ice blue tights. Hair, which was done by L'Oreal, was worn in loose curls, poker straight or in a messy, crimped up do.
The snow made way for a futuristic rave them with lots of neon, bright colours and lycra. The models wore all in ones in hot pink and grey, metallic pink jeans and loose macs in neon transparent fabrics. There was still a smattering of sequins in this theme but it was really all about the lycra and neon colours. A bubble hem grey, strapless dress was the best piece from this collection worn with a glow stick necklace to keep the rave edge in the outfit.
The underwear collection showed hints of Victorian inspiration, with the lace, cream pieces such as high waisted knickers. These modest pieces soon made way for a sexier black and red collection.
The next collection had a Desperate Housewives feel to it and was accompanied by the TV programmes theme song. The girls wore floral tea dresses, full skirts or ankle skimming skinny trousers in pastel shades with frilly or lacey shirts on top and ankle socks with Mary Jane heels. The men wore golf jumpers, tweed jackets and flat caps with chinos.
Following this came the swimwear show. with lots of neon and metallic costumes. One shoulder and strapless costumes kept things different but there was still traditional bikinis in blue, red, and white. The swimwear was accessorised with floppy hats, big beads and thick waist belts.
The show saved the best collection till last with it's party outfits. Again there was a lot of sequins in black and gold. Dresses featured cut out panels, tassels and ruffles. The stand out piece was a metallic gold dress with a cupcake shaped, layered. The models accessorised with multi chain necklaces, fascinators, including a bizarre sequined gold skull skirt one.
If this is an inclination of next year's fashion then roll on 2009.
Clothes Show Live and The Style Show will take place at the Birmingham NEC, from 5 to 10 December 2008. Tickets are on sale now and are available from the box office on 0844 579 3178 or online at www.clothesshowlive.com. Tickets include entry to both shows.
FemaleFirst - Jessica Watson