Has anyone told Bristol's ladies who lunch that there's a credit crunch on?

Apparently not, if the scenes in the second floor restaurant at Harvey Nichols yesterday were anything to go by.

The designer emporium was holding its first fashion show since it opened as part of the new Cabot Circus shopping centre.

And while models wearing labels including Dolce & Gabbana, Chloe, Stella MCartney and Lanvin sashayed around the gold-ceilinged restaurant, the audience provided elegant proof of why the Knightsbridge-based fashion store made Bristol the location for its biggest boutique in Britain.

Harvey Nichols had originally planned to hold two spring fashion shows, accompanied by lunch and dinner.

However, the £35-a-head tickets sold out within hours of going on sale, so a £10-a-head teatime show – with champagne and cupcakes – was added.

This also promptly sold out, and all three shows ended up with a waiting list.

General manager Sue Stones said: "It was an incredible response. Harvey Nichols' fashion shows are always very popular, but we were quite surprised to sell out so quickly for our first shows in Bristol.

"So many of our customers were disappointed that we added another afternoon show, and even that sold out. We probably could have sold tickets for the shows two or three times over."

The demand for seats was in keeping with the enthusiastic response to the opening of Harvey Nichols in Bristol.

"I believe the launch in Bristol was most successful store opening Harvey Nichols has ever had," said Mrs Stones.

"We've been really well received in Bristol. All our events have been well-attended, and we've already established a base of loyal regular customers."

The global credit crunch seemed a world away in the second floor restaurant, as guests enjoyed champagne before embarking on three-course lunches and dinners – created by head chef Louise McCrimmon and using seasonal produce – or nibbled on lavishly-decorated cakes at the teatime show.

A DJ played disco music, while models – some of whom recently appeared at London Fashion Week – paraded to the beat, wearing shoes from Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Balenciaga.

So has the new Harvey Nichols store in Bristol been affected by the recession? Mrs Stones replied: "Obviously I don't have previous trading figures to use as a comparison, but response to the store has been better than anticipated.

"It seems there has been a return to investment dressing. People are more careful about what they spend their money on, but they still want to enjoy themselves."

The fashions shows, attended by around 150 people, seemed to prove that point.

Harvey Nichols personal shopper Caroline Alterskye-Knight observed: "There's going to be a lot of colour and sequins this spring. People seem to be having a kick against the recession.

"Last season was dominated by blacks and greys. It was rather depressing, but now people are looking for something bright and uplifting."