MAIN PHOTOGRAPH AND TOP: The Fashion Theatre. ABOVE: Taking the authors’ breaths away at the exhibits: Ringspun’s boutique, dressed as a traditional, old-school English pub.

HE CLOTHES SHOW LIVE was back at Birmingham NEC last month for a five-day spectacular, with a celebrity-filled fashion and shopping experience.
   Amidst A-list celebrities, shopaholics and teenage girls pouting and posing in anticipation of being scouted by either Boss or Select Model Management, we checked out the bargains and bonuses of the Clothes Show Live 2003.
   With four zones of make-up and fashion heaven all under one roof, shoppers were spoiled for choice as they clambered to claim beauty bargains and fashion must-haves. Shoppers searched through the hundreds of fashion brands and beauty labels while accompanied

The hip vibes of Lisa Mafia and Jamieson on the Galaxy stage had visitors to the event dancing, swinging and shopping until they were dropping

by live performances from some of the UK’s best music acts. The hip vibes of Lisa Mafia and Jamieson who performed on the Galaxy stage had visitors to the event dancing, swinging and shopping until they were dropping.
   The number and variety of beauty and fashion stands were truly amazing. Visitors were able to revamp their image with a stylish haircut from Tigi or Toni & Guy, have a makeover from the Cosmo girls and be the first to get their hands on a pair of Lady Levi’s, from a brand-new range all inspired by Levi’s 1970s archive collection.
   The zones comprised a style for everyone: whether funky, casual or alternative, there were stalls for all. The Red Zone alerted shoppers to a Portabello Road-style market-place where trendy belts, jewellery and hip tartan schoolgirl kilts could be found. Criminal clothing was utterly villainous, selling the much sought-after special edition T-shirts as worn by DJ Anne Savage at a large discount.
   Over in the Purple Zone was action wear for the eccentric, sexy, cool urban style gurus, where Toby Pimlico, Anonymous (who dressed the actors of Bridget Jones’ Diary), Punky Fish and Bench could be found.
   Moving to the Blue Zone, jewellery and accessorise were abundant. The popular line of jewellery as marketed by Mikey held some fantastic offers to draw in customers and Kimko was present to show off its Bollywood bags. On a more innovative line, the Umbrella Trading Co. Ltd. was there to launch its supposedly revolutionary No-Drip brand of umbrellas.
   The Pink Zone was definitely for ladies’ pampering. When tired of shopping (if that’s possible) makeovers, manicures and Mediterranean fake tans such as Fake Bake were on hand from beauty specialists, revitalizing hardworking shoppers. In line with the new media revolution, L'Oréal's national colour studio tour offered free virtual-reality hair makeovers.

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