The ‘Clothes Show’ was one of those programmes a bit like ‘Top of the Pops, in the 1980s, just about everybody watched. Starring Jeff Banks and Selina Scott and later joined by Caryn Franklin, they burst onto our screens in what seemed like a revolutionary way with clothes.
Up until then we were all happy wearing our shell suits and tracky bums, but from that moment on, the world of fashion changed. The show was a immediate hit with reports from catwalks and how to get the catwalk look on a budget.
With the extension of the TV show to the live shows with the first show opening in 1989, the event ran for years right up to 2013 and there have even been rumours the show might make a comeback.
Read more: Miss Moneypenny’s back in the day
With wacky outfits, catwalk models and celebs by the dozen, the show was always a glam event in the city over December. Just for a few days we could all dream of being the next big model and make our fortunes, before returning to the 9 to 5 in the office.
We take a look back to the show at the NEC over the years and marvel at the outfits once worn a wish we were brave enough to ware most of them.
Peter Andre on the catwalk at Clothes Show live at the NEC Birmingham Friday 7th December 2012.
(Image: BPM)‘Blue’ perform at the Clothes Show Live” at the NEC December 6 2002.
(Image: News Team International)Clothes Show Live. Hall 6, NEC, Birmingham, 5th December 1990.
(Image: Mirrorpix)Clothes Show Live, NEC, Birmingham, 7th December 1991. Amanda Shuttleworth talks to the crowd as she prepares Joanne Greenwood, for a styling session on the Vidal Sassoon stand.
(Image: Mirrorpix)Clothes Show Live, audience members, Birmingham NEC, 6th December 1990.
(Image: Mirrorpix)Clothes Show Live, NEC, Birmingham, 6th December 1990.
(Image: Mirrorpix)Clothes Show Live, NEC, Birmingham, 6th December 1990.
(Image: Mirrorpix)Clothes Show Live, NEC, Birmingham, 6th December 1990. Jeff Banks, Designer & Show Presenter.
(Image: Mirrorpix)Clothes Show Live, NEC, Birmingham, 6th December 1990.
(Image: Mirrorpix)Clothes Show Live, NEC, Birmingham, 6th December 1990. Tizer Bailey wearing corset designed by Vivienne Westwood.
(Image: Mirrorpix)Clothes Show Live, NEC, Birmingham, 6th December 1990.
(Image: Mirrorpix)Clothes Show Live, NEC, Birmingham, 6th December 1990.
(Image: Mirrorpix)The Sugarbabes perform at The Clothes Show Live 8th December 2007.
(Image: News Team International )Models perform at the Clothes Show Live at the NEC, 5th December 2002.
(Image: News Team International)A dancer models a daring PVC out-fit on the catwalk at the Clothes Show Live in Birmingham, 5th December 1997.
(Image: PA)The catwalk at the Clothes Show Live in Birmingham, 5th December 1997.
(Image: PA)Tara Palmer Tomkinson and Brian Dowling at Clothes Show Live 2003.
(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)Clothes Show live at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. 5th December 2003.
(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)Clothes Show Live 2006 with Caprice launching her lingerie range.
(Image: BPM)Clothes Show Live with Caprice, 28th October 1997.
(Image: News Team International )Clothes Show live at the National Exhibition Centre 2003.
(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)Clothes Show live at the National Exhibition Centre 2003.
(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)Big Brother 7 contestant Ziggy Lichman opens the 19th Clothes Show Live at the Birmingham NEC, 7th December 2007.
(Image: PA)Clothes Show Live 2007.
(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)Clothes Show Live 2009 at Birmingham NEC.
(Image: BPM)Clothes Show Live 2009 at Birmingham NEC.
(Image: BPM)Clothes Show Live 2008 at NEC, Birmingham with the band, ‘The Saturdays’.
(Image: BPM)