The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, the four-day exhibition which has brought together the foremost wedding industry businesses to provide an all-inclusive bridal shopping experience under one roof, was officially opened.

Daily fashion shows will unveil traditional and modern bridal looks and with many exhibitors offering exclusive discounts and fantastic competition prizes, the event is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors from around the region.

Kick starting the fashion extravaganza was German retailer Cecile, in the first of two fashion shows they will produce.  For those who missed the opportunity to see some of the world’s most exclusive dresses, models will grace the catwalk in even more designs on January 23 at 7pm.

Dar Jawaher then wowed the opening day audience with their new collection of evening wear and wedding Abayas.  The finale of the fashion show, set to an uplifting soundtrack, was greeted with rapturous applause as the stunningly embellished Abayas were modelled down the catwalk.

Following Dar Jawaher was a new collection by Geelato Abayas, a Sharjah based design house.  The fashion show was sponsored by Persil Abaya Shampoo, a new, specially formulated premium liquid wash detergent for Abayas which protects and maintains black material.  Henkel, the manufacturers of the detergent, is participating in the event as part of their ongoing launch of this unique product.

New to the 2009 show is Al Maa’red Weddings, a business venture launched by Adnec to serve the local bridal market in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. 

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, organised by IIR Middle East, is the only bridal exhibition in the capital of the UAE and will run until January 24.

The event 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 April 8 to 11.-TradeArabia News Service