For someone
who was there at one of the first Clothes Show Live events and watched the TV
show avidly during those early years; I can honestly say I am a veteran of
shopping. I still strut like I’m on a
catwalk every time I hear that iconic tune by the Pet Shop Boys. So of course I go every year to The Clothes Show Live and adore it. It’s a place where you can get the most up to
date clothes, see couture up close and new and upcoming designers. Of course there is also a huge make-up section
and the best part is the catwalk show.
So I ask you…do
you want £75 of make-up for £10? Do you
want to find unusual pieces that no one else will be wearing? Do you want to wear high fashion before it
hits the shops? Do you want to see an
amazing show of dancers and models strutting their stuff? Of course you do!
However this
year I couldn’t help but feel disappointed. Here are my reasons why.
1.
The
tickets are going up each year but we only seem to be offered deals such as 3
for 2 after we have already bought the tickets. There is no reward for loyalty for those like
me who go each year and they have stopped the deals of getting something free
with the tickets (for example I have previously had free eye lashes with the
tickets)
2.
The
floor this year was much smaller than previous years. It did not extend as big as in previous years
and the stalls had much more space in between them. This meant not as much choice as previous
years.
3.
The
stall holders were complaining of how much it costs to have a stall. One stall holder told me it was £350 per
square foot. That’s a lot of product
that needs to sell if they want to keep returning each year.
4.
It
wasn’t that crowded. I personally like
that but worry that if the stall holders do not make their money back – even less
will apply to come next year and The Clothes Show will slowly die.
5.
This
year there was no couture section and the designer section was rather poor. Although the university section is always
popular I do think it is not an appeal to most of the general public
6.
Many
‘famous’ people attend such as Joey Essex and some internet sensations. I am sure this is great for those of a younger
generation but for serious shoppers like me I wish that they would keep a
corner of the floor for them rather than having to fight through crowds of screaming
kids..
I am a
dedicated follower of The Clothes Show and the pièce
de résistance is always the show. This year they did excel themselves. Each year there is a theme and this year the
theme was The Empires. What a show! It felt like Star Wars meets Divergent with a
bit of The Hunger Games thrown in for good measure! The fashions are everything you grow to expect
and want to see at a catwalk. And it’s
not just models. These people can not
only strut along a catwalk but dance too. Forget Strictly – this is pure class. It really did make up for some of the
disappointment of this year’s event.
Will I be
going next year? Probably. But I do hope it pulls its
socks/stockings/flares (input what is in vogue here) next year. It is in need of a review if it wants to
survive instead of milking everyone for money.
We are not just buying a ticket – but an experience. Please Clothes Show – deliver us our dream
shopping experience and I will be first in the queue. 
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