Costing quite a bit, former VIP seen splashing out (9)
I believe the answer is:
expensive
'splashing out' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'costing quite a bit former vip' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'bit' could be 'i' (resembles 1, a binary digit or bit) and 'i' is found in the answer.
'former' could be 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime) and 'ex' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'seen' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for expensive that I've seen before include "Charging a lot" , "Pricey" , "Very costly or dear" , "High in price" , "Costing a lot of money" .)