Jordan hits the catwalk at the Excel

As well as a number of fashion shows, Erin O'Connor and George Lamb gave out prizes in the UK Beauty Awards and fashion journalist Caryn Franklin gave out her tips on style.

Despite transport problems with the DLR closed until Monday, thousands of people visited the event, which was making its debut at the Royal Docks entertainment centre.

Fashion tips

Meanwhile, Clothes Show managing director Gavin Brown gave his tips on what's hot this summer.

With much experience in fashion - he founded the event 21 years ago - Gavin sees the industry going for cheer rather than drear.

He said: "What tends to happen is that when things are a bit down generally women need lots to cheer them up and the big fashion colours are spring bright, bright orange, yellow, bright green, purple and metallic is dominant.

"And there's a lot of people wearing clashing colours.

"It's bright cheerful, it's exciting and glamorous. We've gone back to the old days with shoulder pads - the '80s Dynasty look.

"There's a cycle with all these things. Designers will get inspiration from the places they travel to but also from fashion over the last 50 to 60 years that they feel it's time to reintroduce.

"There's rarely something that's not been done before."

Gavin added that leather jackets are back, along with platform shoes. Meanwhile, short shorts made popular by Lady Gaga, and a new version of washed-out denim is in that has been shown off by Posh Spice recently, are big.

Love Potion No.9 T-shirts are becoming very popular and make up is more prominent, especially the smoky eye look.

Gavin said: "It's a glam spring. It's not dress down, it's dress up."

With jobs going and people being hit in the pocket. Surely it is the time for looking to cut back on non-necessities?

Not according to Gavin. He said: "Just listening to people in my office, the greatest quote I heard was from a girl who said she'd rather give up eating and buy herself a new lipstick.

"It's been so depressing what we are hearing on the news. People just want to have fun."

The Clothes Show London is at the Excel centre, May 29-31. Standard tickets cost £25. Go to clothesshowlondon.com