Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif inaugurates the Bride Show Abu Dhabi

Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif, wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, today officially opened The Bride Show Abu Dhabi to launch a four-day showcase in the UAE capital for the region’s booming wedding industry.

After cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the four day event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif, toured the exhibition hall which houses both high-end haute couture boutiques and local wedding and fashion businesses.

With more daily fashion shows than any other event in the capital, unveiling both traditional and modern bridal looks and many exhibitors offering exclusive discounts, the event is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors from around the region.

The first fashion show of the event, Houchaime, displayed haute couture and prêt-a-porter fashion lines created by young Lebanese designer, Hanine Houchaime, who until recently worked with Elie Saab, renowned Lebanese fashion designer to Hollywood stars.

Old House Heritage, an haute couture fashion house specializing in wedding dresses and traditional Abayas, attracted a large number of visitors with their newest collection, featuring light colors with Victorian styles inspired by Turkish designs.

"The opening fashion shows have set a precedent of quality and glamour that our visitors can expect throughout the week," said Daphne Cota, Exhibition Manager for The Bride Show. "We have welcomed a high number of visitors today who have been drawn to the diverse range of exhibitor stands, offering everything from travel packages and customized dresses to hair salons and spas."

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi comes at a good time for the wedding industry, particularly in the UAE where wedding costs remain high and more couples appreciate the advantages of a Middle Eastern wedding with guaranteed sun, sandy beaches and excellent customer service.

"The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, which has grown a further 30 per cent this year, caters to a booming wedding market in the UAE and plays a crucial role in this industry growth by giving new wedding service companies and fashion boutiques the opportunity to increase their profile and business," said Daphne Cota.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, organized by IIR Middle East, is the only bridal exhibition in the capital of the UAE and takes place daily until Friday 8 February 2008 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Open to the public from 3pm-11pm daily, with admission reserved exclusively for women on Wednesday, The Bride Show Abu Dhabi has attracted an international line-up of more than 200 exhibitors who are showcasing wedding gowns, international haute couture fashion, beauty, hair and jewellery ideas, wedding venues and honeymoon destinations.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is followed by The Bride Show Dubai which takes place from 23-26 April 2008 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

5.00pm Mauzan Trading
7.00pm Scalini
8.00pm Just Me Abayas
9.00pm Kubra Al Qaseer

5:00pm Moda Fashion
7:00pm Cygnet
8:00pm Arabesque Sheilas & Abayas
9.00pm Odissea & Indian Bride

5:00pm Swarovski Abaya Design Awards
7.00pm Beenas Trading
8:00pm Ghanati Couture
9:00pm Rahmanian Haute Couture
 

- Lindsay Johnston / Anya Leonard, Total Communications Dubai, also photo -