Birmingham Clothes Show 20101

I have to admit, regardless of the ice, the insane crowds and the lack of trains to the NEC from Birmingham New Street on a day that they knew thousands would be travelling; I had a beautiful day. Nothing excites me more than the opportunity to network and a chance to take a glimpse at budding designers.

I discovered a talent show – ‘Festival 4 Stars’, that stands more for actual talent than finding the next money maker, like a certain popular television-based show of a similar theme. I’ve had a bone to pick with the X-Factor for a while now. The repetitive nature of the programme really grinds my gears. AUDITION STAGE: ha ha ha look at the people who think they can sing and can’t, oh wait the music has changed to something mellow but with an uplifting ending as this person tells of their hard ship being an orphan with no legs and their foster parents beat them senseless every time they sang a single note and what’s this, they got through? Shocking! SINGING STAGE: weird kooky individual causes controversy with their blatant lack of any vocal control but is seen as ‘entertaining’ and isn’t that what this show is about? NO. IT’S A TALENT CONTEST. But even so, is true talent about having an amazing voice to start off with, or is it about having potential to be moulded into something that will sell millions of records. What a lot of people forget is that just because you are talented, it doesn’t mean you will sell records. Whereas if you LOOK, ACT, SING and SMELL the part, and have PR that correctly thrusts your image in the public’s face, then huzzah! You have  a winner.

In all honesty, I’m just sick of the blatantly fake formulae working. That’s why last year’s RATM revolution was so utterly beautiful. The X-Factor watching public are not the majority. Why should Mr Cowell hold the monopoly on Christmas No.1? The majority of the stars that are crowned Prom King/Queen have their glory for a few weeks then are forgotten again. Occasionally one does have sticking power, but the public grow tired of them eventually. Whereas the bands who work at it from scratch are around for decades.

Anyway, I digress. Festival4Stars seems more like it. Check them out if you fancy taking part in an authentic talent contest: www.festival4stars.com

What else did I do? Ah I discovered a new magazine for models (I say new, it’s been around a fair while, just unbeknown to me!) titled Every Model Magazine. After having a browse, it does indeed seem like a good purchase for anyone in the industry – especially budding models. I’ve asked them very nicely if I can do an editorial, so awaiting a reply! Have a nosey at www.emmagazine.co.uk

I must admit, the fashion show blew me away – a combination of catwalk, dance and theatre which was a total feast for my eyes. Photos ensue:

Overall, awesome day. Gok Wan was a pleasure to watch, and the clothes were a delight! Yes I shall be going next year, this time armed with more cards and a suitcase to actually shop this time.

Rei

xxxx