Designer's Bu Tinah gown steals the bridal show

ABU DHABI // The Emirati designer Mona al Mansouri drew the crowds at the Bride Show Abu Dhabi yesterday with a dress inspired by a local beauty spot.

The gown, featuring dolphins, turtles, corals, shoals of fish, waves and waterfalls, was designed to reflect the Bu Tinah archipelago.

Mrs al Mansouri said she was using the piece to encourage people to vote for Bu Tinah in the New7Wonders of Nature contest to identify the world's top natural marvels.

"It is the duty of everyone in the country, nationals and residents, to vote for Bu Tinah," Mrs al Mansouri said. "I wanted to seize the opportunity [of the Bride Show] to remind and introduce people to Bu Tinah."

Vivian Wounters, from the Netherlands, said she came to the event expecting "shiny", "blingy" and "crystal" gown ideas and was not disappointed. "I am all for Bu Tinah," Mrs Wounters said. "There is a great deal of effort being made there to preserve the environment."

Models showed evening dance dresses in a wide range of shades of red, and red with greens, laden with jewellery and glossy accessories.

Young females and would-be brides attended with their families to get an idea about trendy gowns and hair styles.

Fatima al Aqrabi, a 20-year-old Yemeni girl who was born in the UAE, came with her mother "to have an idea".

"I am not planning to get married but I wanted to see what they have and for the future," she said.

hhassan@thenational.ae