It probably would have been a mere 14 years after architect Alfred Brumwell Thomas completed Belfast City Hall in 1906, when the grand staircase that leads to the circular balcony under the main dome was last filled with the chatter of ladies wearing 1920s clothing.

Now, it’s like a step back in time, with opulent Baroque revival design oozing from every wall, crevice and plinth in the room. It is only the clicking and whirring of digital cameras that brings us back to the present day.

Belfast Fashionweek is under way — an extravaganza of events showcasing the best of clothes and design in Northern Ireland.

Last Thursday, the theme of the show was to chart the changing shape of fashion through the decades since City Hall first threw open its doors 103 years ago.

Of course, the hall has witnessed its fair share of triumph and turmoil during the history of Belfast. From the linen and shipbuilding age, through the dark days of the Troubles and the recent redevelopment that has happened across the city — the green domes of the Donegall Square edifice seen it all. Well, until Fashionweek, almost everything ...

Because now the City Hall is not only celebrating re-opening after its recent refurbishment but, for the first time, this event, and the inherent fun, colour and, well, all-round craziness that is a fashion show, is taking place here.

If the City Hall thinks it has witnessed high drama, colour and all-round prima donnery in the debating chamber, then it’s about to witness a whole new opera — albeit one where the leads are a whole lot easier on the eye. No 50-plus waists here.

There’s vital statistics and then there’s just statistics. By the time Fashionweek has ended, a total of 58 models will have strutted their stuff. Last Thursday night there were 2,100 guests in total — that’s 18,000 people all together who’ve attended the event since Cathy Martin first started Fashionweek four years ago.

If everything looks fabulous (darling!) on the catwalk, backstage there is an army of workers in various states of chaos.

They include almost 70 student volunteers dashing around with 12 make-up artists and 45 hair stylists overseeing a kind of beauty production line.

Throughout the event City Hall will employ more than 50 staff to handle the crowds and an incredible 1,020 pairs of shoes will tread the catwalk. How’s that, SJP?

And what would a fashion show be without a tipple? Around 2,250 bottles of West Coast Cooler will be supped, making this, by far, the biggest Fashionweek yet.

Dani Hibbert is one of the girls who’s helping run the event. She takes us into a large side room on the first floor of City Hall which is being used as both the dressing room and the hair, make-up and nail area.

“Tonight’s show will be split into different decades, from the 1920s right through to the Noughties. We’ve managed to get a lot of the period clothes from vintage and charity shops as well as normal high street stores. Even the hair, make-up and nails will be in keeping with the period.”

The models are calm at this stage. It’s only 2pm and the show doesn’t start until eight.

Some of the girls are quite young. Sarah Martin (16) attends Methodist College, Belfast, and is currently sitting her GCSEs. Sarah says: “I moved to Belfast from London with my family five years ago and I really like it here. I think it’s a lot more friendly here than in London.

“I was discovered while I was playing hockey at school. Lisa Harrison from ‘IN Magazine’ spotted me and introduced me to Cathy Martin who took me under her wing from there.

Sarah adds: “I love modelling. It’s something for me to do while at school and I’d also like to carry it on into university. I don’t really know what I’m going to do in terms of my career yet.

“I took part in Fashionweek last year and had an amazing time, so I can’t wait to do it again over the next few days.”

Caitlyn Leckey (15), from Templepatrick, is also relatively new to the world of modelling. “I go to Belfast Royal Academy and I’m also doing my GCSEs,” says Caitlyn. “I love modelling — I’ve been doing it for the last year and a half — but I still have so much to learn.

“I do a lot of work in Dublin. You can make good money at modelling. For doing one show in Dublin I’d maybe earn about £250, but it depends on what type of work I’m doing.”

She adds: “A sportswear brand for example, may look for a girl who’s a bit more fun and has an athletic frame. It just depends on the personality of the model.

“But there’s a lot more involved than just walking about looking pretty. I also have a good arrangement with school if I need time off to do a shoot. They understand that it’s legitimate work.”

Across the room, former Miss Northern Ireland Kirsty Stewart is having her nails done by Peter Gilroy.

The pressure of the impending show doesn’t seem to phase her at all. Kirsty says: “I won Miss |Northern Ireland when I was 17 years old. Since then I haven’t looked back in terms of my career.

“Fashionweek just gets bigger and better every year. The show tonight will be a good opportunity for people to see what you can do with vintage clothes. Some people say ‘I like clothes from the 20s,’ but they’re not sure what 20s style really is. They’ll get to see that tonight.”

Peter has been on Fashionweek’s backstage team since it began. “Tonight I’ll have to change the colour of nails on the models as they put on different outfits through the show,” says Peter. “It’s a bit of a challenge.

“Fashionweek has evolved beyond belief since we started out all crowded into the toilet of our first venue having used it as a changing room and tripping over each other.”

All the models have arrived by now. It’s four o’clock and the evening’s momentum is starting to build. By now it’s becoming clear that nerves are beginning to show. Everyone walks at a purposeful, brisk pace.

The left wing of City Hall has come to life, but in the main hallway, only a few people stroll the corridors. The area is reserved for a large group of about 30 visitors who’re on a walking tour of the building.

Day has turned to night and models now queue to have their hair styled. Denise McClusky is the owner of Michele International Hair and Beauty, Belfast.

She’s just arrived but remains in an upbeat and friendly mood throughout the melee. Denise explains the task ahead: “We’re on a bit of a mission tonight. It will be quite hard to keep changing the girls’ hair through the various styles of the decades. One thing about hair though, is that every style comes back around eventually.

“When we get to the 60s and 70s period, most of the girls will be wearing wigs. Hairstyles from that period in time — like the ‘beehive’ — would take too long to do on the spot. We’re starting out with the 1920s so I’ll be doing a lot of finger-waves.

“I have a team of 10 people from the salon with me just for tonight and we’ve got 100 hair-styles to get through before the night is over. I used to work in City Hall at the Miss Northern Ireland competitions so it’s just great to be back.”

At around seven o’clock, the first guests start to arrive. By now, all promotional stalls and chaperones are in place. Glamorous couples, groups of girls and very well-dressed men have brought the once barren corridors to life. The changing room area is a hive of activity. We swerve the bursts of hair spray and make for the door to enter the main room where the show is to be held. Here, an exhibition of photographer Khara Pringle’s work is on display. Khara has made a name for herself with her commercial photography business, but she

also dabbles in fashion photography on the side. There are 40 pieces of her work lining the chairs around the glittering gold catwalk. In her exhibit, she has concentrated on photographs of Northern Irish celebrities.

Khara explains the inspiration for her work: “I’m originally from Dundalk. My grandfather was a photographer for the Associated Press in Italy during the Second World War. He was one of the first people to enter Dachau concentration camp. I never actually met him, but his photos were a great inspiration to me. He also shot photos of people like Bob Hope and Elizabeth Taylor.

She adds: “I started taking pictures when I was 17 years old. I think my father wanted me to opt for a more secure profession

“For the exhibition, I asked various celebrities to wear their favourite item of clothing. The photos will eventually be auctioned off for charity.”

At the other side of the room we catch up with acclaimed designer Una Rodden. Some of her designs will be used throughout the week. She says: “I was kind of forced into starting my own business after I was made redundant from a shop I used to work in.

“Lately I’ve been busier than ever. We do a lot of quirky evening wear and alternative wedding dresses. I recently designed a dress for a girl who got married in the Merchant Hotel in November that was quite unusual. It was a short wallpaper printed mustard and grey dress with a headpiece and veil. It looked fabulous.”

There are now hundreds of guests throughout the room. Ann Jordan and Lisa Hinds from Hollywood are enjoying the show. Ann says: “We come to Belfast Fashionweek most seasons. We like to support it and we like the quirkiness of it. It’s also great to get a look at the newly refurbished City Hall. I’m a buyer for a local clothing firm so I travel about a lot and I’m into fashion.”

Cool FM DJ Pete Snodden will use any reason to attend. “My other half is a big fan of Fashionweek, so I use her as an excuse to come along,” he laughs. “I think clubbing, bar culture and fashion all go hand-in-hand. People in Belfast are becoming more fashion conscious. Now that everything’s on our doorstep, we don’t have to go to London or Dublin to get good clothes.”

Deborah and David Watters and their daughter Lucy have come for a night out and to support Khara Pringle. David says: “We’ve worked with Khara in the past and thought we’d come down to have a look at her exhibition.” Deborah adds: “Lucy and I had a shopping trip to London yesterday, but we have places like Victoria Square here now and it’s not really necessary to travel for shopping any more.”

Within minutes, the largest Fashionweek yet kicks into action. The bright lights dip onto the catwalk and the Autumn/Winter show is underway.

Over the years the event has come on in leaps and bounds, and tonight’s dazzling display is Belfast Fashionweek’s most powerful statement yet.