e Clothes Show London this year. I naively expected it to have the same sticking points as Birmingham: vast, crazy busy, full of the same clothes we've seen for three years running, and just too hot!However... it wasn't! I have never been to Earls Court, so I didn't know it was dinky, but, I have to say it made for a rather more pleasant experience. The range of products on offer was more concise and the products themselves were less tourist tat, more luxury boutique.
As per usual, everyone walking round ate Snack-a-Jacks, Kit Kat Senses and drank Vitamin Water, all free in the infamous goodie bag. But as I've never seen before, fashionistas milled around amongst swarms of "helpers" with cameras and notepads, each tending to their own blog or website. Must be being down south! I was one of them, and you can read the Best Dressed report I compiled for Fashion Capital here.
Every time I've been to the Clothes Show, my favourite part has been the spectacle that is the fashion theatre show, and our capital certainly didn't disappoint, taking us on a tour of worldwide fashion capitals including New York, 
Paris, Milan and Tokyo. Every trend under the sun was showcased, from Lady Gaga inspired sportwear, to autumn/winter's ladylike elegance (left) , to an eyepopping set of sixties inspired pieces. A parade of bright red gowns (right) was a standout moment, reminicent of shows seen at John Galliano or Alexander McQueen. We were also treated to performances from hot new boyband The Wanted, a fabulously dressed Paloma Faith, and finally Esmee Denters.
As if this wasn't enough, as Platinum Ticket holders (ooo get us!), we were able to stay and watch the Clothes Show Style Awards presented by the oh so handsome George Lamb and OK! Magazine's fashion and beauty editor, Emma Gunavardhana. While Fashion Photographer of the Year went to Rankin, Johnny Blue Eyes won the award for Fashion Stylist. Though I rubbed shoulders with celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton outside the venue, he didn't win the accolade for Best Hairdresser, which instead went to Jamie Stevens, whose clients include Gok Wan, Elle McPherson, and Kylie Minogue. Caroline Bar
nes, who won Make Up Artist of the year at last years awards, scooped the gong again, but George Lamb, last years Best Dressed Man, had his crown stolen this year by Holloyoaks' Ricky Whittle. Finally Paloma Faith won Best Dressed Woman, understandable when you look at her showstopping outfit, which started off covered by plumes of orange feathers.
Finally, I got a go at posing on the red carpet... just because I'm sad like that!
