Bride-licious

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi turned out some magnificent dresses - but some visitors were left disappointed.

Chances are you'll run into many brides at the Bride Show Abu Dhabi. But one of the best things about the Bride Show this year was that it wasn't just for brides. In fact, it was less for brides than anyone else.

It was, however, more of a showcase for abayas and jalabiyas for women. Compared to the few stalls for wedding catering, albums, invitations and centre stages, the abaya stalls outnumbered all the others — and got the most visitors.

There were abayas of every colour, design and price. The jewellery and accessory stalls also had many visitors but where people spent most of their money was, again, on jalabiyas and abayas.

Variety

While some cost as much as Dh20,000 and more, prices were generally cheaper and you wouldn't find such a huge variety anywhere else.

And although some visitors criticised the large number of abaya stalls, others loved it.

Soon-to-be bride Amnah Nasser wasn't impressed. She said: "I don't like the Bride Show at all. It's just abayas. A bride doesn't only need abayas.

There are also no wedding planners or many services for brides. The koshas [centre stage] on display are very bulky and there is nothing new. It's nothing impressive," she said.

Unique

Another soon-to-be bride Marriam Majid, to wed next month, said: "I only came to the Bride Show because I heard that the women who do abayas at home and have no store would be at the Bride Show.

These abayas are unique and, as a bride, I have to buy a few abayas to wear when I visit my in-laws after the wedding."

Since abayas are so popular, wouldn't it be a good idea to have an annual abaya show as well as the Bride Show?

Scalini

If you want to look like you are from outer space on your big day, then you'll love Scalini's silver metallic wedding dress.

Scalini's colours this season are metallic gold, silver and bronze. With short sleeveless dresses with fluff around the shoulder and long simple wedding gowns, Scalini is going for the 1950s look, Romanian-style.

Other wedding gowns in the collection are simple with minimal yellow and silver crystals around the bust.

Designer takes the spotlight

Eiman Al Marzouqi was announced as the winner of the Swarovski Abaya Design Awards for her abaya which featured Dh1,000 worth of Swarovski crystals and embellishments.

Eiman, who lives in Abu Dhabi, said, "The last two months have been extremely busy preparing for the award.

All final designs are so beautiful, I am completely speechless and so very surprised.

I feel like I'm living in a dream just now and it's so hard to describe how honoured I am."Eiman's designs were on display during the Bride Show Abu Dhabi alongside more than 200 regional and international exhibitors in the fashion, beauty and travel industries.

People's vote

Visitors to the event were voting throughout the four-day show for their favourite abaya and a panel of judges in the fashion industry examined the pieces in terms of design, technique and innovative use of Swarovski elements.

The award came to an exciting culmination when each of the designs, made by amateur fashion designers from across the UAE and Oman, were professionally modelled on the catwalk.

Eiman was chosen from 10 finalists, who were selected from more than 50 aspiring fashion designers.

Daphne Cota, exhibition manager at the Bride Show said, "Eiman did a wonderful job, her abaya is very unique and skilfully constructed.

I am very pleased for her, she deserves this recognition, as do all the finalists who have been working very hard in the last two months to have their designs collections completed."