SKIPTON bridal boutique owner Mandy Abramson is celebrating a quarter of a century in business - by inviting her customers from the past 25 years to be models in a charity fashion show.
A total of 20 former brides will model gowns at the event this week. Part of the proceeds from the boutique’s first ever fashion show will go to Skipton-based charity The Principle Trust, which provides respite holidays for children who are underprivileged, disadvantaged, have disabilities or life-limiting conditions, or who have experienced poverty, trauma or abuse.
The fashion show will feature the latest gowns from Cinderella’s Bridal Boutique, which Mandy co-owns and manages with her husband and business partner, Doug.
The idea was sparked by Mandy’s mission to challenge body image insecurities and use women of all ages, shapes and sizes to model the gowns.
One of the models taking part is Mandy’s first ever customer, Susan Fleet, who purchased her dream dress from Cinderella’s when she was 32.
Thirty-two-year-old mum-to-be Kayleigh McLocklan, who is six months pregnant, will also be modelling gowns.
Susan and Kayleigh will be joined on the catwalk by a bevy of one-time brides in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.
Last year Mandy invited women from all walks of life to try on a wedding dress - even if they had no plans to marry.
The inspiration came from her terminally ill close friend, Molly Fuchs. Molly had never worn a wedding gown and wanted to tick it off her bucket list. Photos of Molly in the gown went viral on social media.
Now Mandy hopes the boutique’s ‘Real Women Week’ will become an annual tradition.
Since setting up her independent bridal and ball gown establishment in 1999, Mandy has supplied more than 5,000 wedding dresses to brides-to-be. Her gowns range in price from £100 to £2,000 and are available in a range of styles and variations.
Mandy, 53, of Addingham started out working in her father’s menswear shop, Time and Time Again, in Ilkley. She went on to run her own alterations shop and later opened Cinderella’s.
“Helping brides choose their dream wedding dress is so special,” says Mandy. “Not only do I help them in trying-on sessions, I alter the dress once it’s made. It’s a magical time when a bride tries on her fitted dress before her big day.
“Designers lean towards different styles, this keeps things fresh, with new styles arriving twice a year. But we also have styles that are timeless.”
Adds Mandy: “In the last 25 years, I’ve supplied and fitted wedding dresses to over 5,000 brides. I owe my customers a great deal and wanted the chance for them to be part of our celebrations.”
Kerry Magson of The Principle Trust says: “The fashion show promises to be a fantastic evening.
“Thanks to supporters like Mandy, The Principle Trust has helped thousands of disadvantaged, disabled and poorly children to escape their everyday troubles and create valuable, happy memories.”
* Cinderella’s Bridal Boutique Fashion Show takes place at Elsworth at the Mill in Skipton on Friday, March 8 from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets cost £15 (including a drink and nibbles) and are available from dreamdress.co.uk
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