I said, when I returned here that I'd only do a post when I had something interesting to write about and I guess that's why my presence has been sparse recently. It isn't that I haven't been busy, in fact the past weeks have been non stop but that's been down to work at Exposed and with Beaumont Bags as well as turning twenty seven last week which came with a mini breakdown, sometimes I just feel like I'm wasting my youth away, but being miserable is not the answer and last weeks Exposed Christmas night out around Sheffield sorted my head out, at a cost, the following day was a complete write off, I didn't bother getting dressed, but I did arrive home bruise free and without any ludicrous bar receipts.
Anyway, a few months ago the Clothes Show enquired about Beaumont Bags having a stall at their five day fashion extravaganza at the NEC in Birmingham. It was too soon, we just weren't prepared (we aren't even a year old!), so we declined, instead they sent us a couple of tickets to go to the show, see what goes down and what's on offer.
It was the final day of the annual event yesterday, our visit was brief, hectic and not what I was expecting. It was a worthwhile trip in both personal and business aspects. Having to get up at half six on a cold December morning is never easy but after wiping the sleep from my eyes, I was ready for action. The two hour coach journey flew by and it couldn't have been easier getting to the venue, just a short bus ride from outside the coach station. The NEC is situated next to the airport and that's where the bus dropped us off, I was wanting to catch a flight to L.A., I can dream.
The first thing that was apparent about the Clothes Show Live is the amount of teenage girls, there was stacks of them, giddy, screamy and hyper, coated in this seasons trends, tartan galore! That also meant there was no queue for the gents toilets! Also, the NEC is MASSIVE, it feels like an airport itself, minus the planes.
Once we had navigated our way through the hordes of kids and vast corridors we headed to the sales team to discuss our day, what they offer and a free program (£8 otherwise, ridiculous!) before taking a stroll around the show which is never easy when you have fashionable youngsters running around. I expected it to be extremely corporate with big brands enticing these easily influenced attendees in but apart from a handful of the likes of Diet Coke, Rimmel and Starbucks it was pretty much independents filling the huge halls. It was separated into three sections, make up and beauty, boutiques then cheap and tacky but to be fair, everywhere was cheap, all the stalls were selling things off, so many bargains, it was overwhelming at first and once I got my head around it it was time to go! I still got myself a few things to save for Christmas, an £80 denim jacket for £15 from The Ragged Priest and I consciously supported fellow Sheffielder's Vulgar and Alice Takes A Trip with a t-shirt and shirt, tenner each! Ace!
The sales team looked after us well, not just with a base to dump our stuff and refreshments to reenergise ourselves then they supplied us with VIP seats at the 40 minute show hosted by Henry Holland where models and dancers entertained the easily excitable crowd who screamed at anything and everything!
The question to draw in the gullible teens 'Who watches the X Factor?' there was a buzz in the seats, Union J had been on the stage the other day, maybe a tune from Rough Copy? at worst it'd be Kingsland Road, who had performed on this stage earlier in the week, no, it was Scott Innes from Times Red no, me neither and I watch the X Factor! The song was a shocker and the performance was mega cringe, he bounced around the arena vibing off screams. Luckily that set the bar high for cheesiness and the half hour show which followed was largely entertaining as they spruced up a catwalk show with dance routines and loud music, some bits were clever and well thought out with well styled models but there were moments that were questionable but then again, this wasn't a fashion show, it was entertainment for the young crowd and they loved it, I'm just overly cynical.
And that was pretty much it as we had a coach to catch. It was definitely a positive and worthwhile trip, eye opening and I'd recommend it to anybody who enjoys buying clothes. Just plan your day, you'll need a few more hours than I had!