In hard times there is no excuse for frivolity - not even when planning your big day. So when Arlan Dionaldo, an architect and interior designer, decided to enter a competition to design an original wedding dress, he simply cast about his office for odds and ends of fabric. The resulting creation - a grass skirt made of curtain tassels, a train made from furniture upholstery, Dh15 floral leggings from a high-street store and a fancy-dress shop Afro wig for a headpiece, set him back a mere Dh1,000 (US$270), a snip compared with the Dh50,000 one UAE bride in five is prepared to lavish on her frock.
Philippines-born Mr Dionaldo, 37, who is one of 22 finalists in the Crystallized Young Designer award at the Bride Show Dubai, which starts today, said: "I was going for a Cruella de Vil look. "I call it my rock chick romantic gown. In these times a traditional long, expensive gown seems very outdated. I wanted a more edgy look and I think this is it. "Although I do not have a background in fashion, architecture is about aesthetics and I think the two have a lot in common.
"I wanted the dress to have an architectural look to it, too, so as well as using upholstery fabrics, it folds like origami." Other entries also demonstrate a desire to break with the "spend, spend, spend" theme so much a feature of previous bride shows. Edwin de Jesus, 32, also from the Philippines but living in Dubai, limited himself to a budget of Dh2,000, and did the embroidery and stitched the gown himself over three weeks.
Mr de Jesus, who studied computer science at college and works as a purchaser in Karakeesh fashion store, said: "I would love to do this as a career." Mr Dionaldo and Mr de Jesus are the only men among the finalists, who were chosen from about 70 entrants in the annual competition, which is open to amateurs and fashion students. Those shortlisted were asked to design dresses on a Gypsy Rose theme and given 1,000 crystals for embellishment by Swarovski, the sponsor. The winner will be announced on Saturday.
Old habits die hard, and concessions to economic reality are notably absent elsewhere in the four-day show. The bottled-water company Bling H2O plans to sell its product in crystal-studded containers at prices starting from Dh250. Doors open at 2.30pm at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, and admission is Dh10. The show also has sections on home furnishings and women's health and a creche.
tyaqoob@thenational.ae