The annual “Running of the Brides” in Boston was a huge success as hundreds of brides-to-be dashed to the Filene’s basement store in a bid to get the best deals in bridal gowans and bridal lingerie and wear it during their special day.

The gowns were reportedly designed by some of the biggest names in the industry. Normally, these bridal gowns would cost thousands of dollars. However, at the mega sale, each could cost only as high as $240, which is definitely a super great deal.

The lucky customers who got the best deals were seen shrieking with joy as they get to wear a designer dress without even spending a lot of money.

The customers were seen lining up early in the morning in a bid to get in the store first. There was a need for them to move fast because the sale only lasted for three hours.

Zuhair Murad, a Lebanese designer, stated his confidence on the future of wedding dresses in fashion.

In an interview, Murad said that gowns ranging from vintage wedding dresses to modern ones could serve as an inspiration for cocktail or dinner dresses. There are simply a lot of possibilities that can be seen on designing dresses inspired from wedding gowns, the designer added. Not to mention the sexy classy bridal lingerie which forms the basis for the entire dress.

Murad designs ready-to-wear collections and specially-made dresses for clients. He has dressed some of the biggest Hollywood stars and royal families in the Middle East. He added that there has been a spike in sales in other major markets such as Europe, China and Russia.

The designer cautioned that despite this seemingly growing trend, designers should still be prudent when it comes to designing a new line with this motif. He stressed that collaborations with other companies could still be a viable option to come up with great designs.

It took about a full minute or sixty seconds for more than a thousand wedding gowns to disappear off the racks at a known wedding store last week.

According to reports, brides-to-be rushed at Filene’s Basement, a Massachusetts-based store, during its one-day sale. The event is called “Running of the Brides.”

The event is compared from the famous event that takes place in Pamplona, Spain – the “Running of the Bulls.” The Filene’s event has been happening for more than fifty years. It started in 1947 at the store’s Boston branch.

In the Columbus area alone, more than 400 people rushed in the store despite the cold weather. According to store manager Linda Weiss, the event has brought joy to the consumers. She’s been a witness of the event for the past decade.

Weiss revealed that some customers came from other cities just to take part in this event.

Livia Giuggioli, the wife of British actor Colin Firth, wore a second-hand wedding dress to the recently concluded Golden Globe Awards as part of an environment-friendly challenge.

Giuggioli revealed that she got many compliments about her dress. She stressed that she wore the ensemble as part of a challenge to wear only “ethical and sustainable” clothes and make-up during the awards season. She boldly stated that no one seems to think about this.

Giuggioli said that this is the first time where she got numerous compliments about her dress in a single night. She jokingly said that what made her night was the fact she got to kiss Hollywood actor George Clooney.

Giuggioli accompanied her husband who was nominated for his role in the film “The Single Man.”

Duffield’s Mimi Toko Bridal Boutique, a leading wedding shop that has provided great wedding dresses to brides to be, has been shortlisted for a National Award.
The wedding boutique has been nominated at the 2010 Bridal Buyer Awards under the best online retailer category.

Store manager Amy Greenhalgh said that they were overwhelmed with the nomination. She revealed that major social networking sites such as Facebook and their regularly updated blog site have helped secure the nomination.

She said that brides to be these days are using the internet to do research on wedding dresses and their site has provided the much needed information and tips.

The store, which opened 15 years ago, has made a name in the community for the past few years. Mimi Toko has dressed Alexandra Burke and Stacey Solomon of X Factor.

The store has also resorted to providing reasonably priced wedding dresses to adjust with the global financial crisis.

A one-stop shop for bridal accessories and gowns will soon be launched at a gold and jewelry complex in Bahcelievler district called Kuyumcukent.

According to reports, the Wedding Mall is set for a grand launch in February.

Customers will no longer travel from one store to another just to find wedding-themed items ranging from bridal accessories, to gowns and to home decors which are usually bought after the wedding.

The first floor of the Wedding Mall will feature textile items, the second floor will have assorted retailers selling affordable draperies and many more.

Kuyumcukent Chairman Kemal Merim said that the aim of the shopping mall is to meet all the wedding needs of the couple. He added that a number of luxury stores will also open to target the VIP market.

Merim revealed that despite the global financial crisis, the shopping mall has been filled with retailers, an indication that the market is stronger than ever.

About 14 bridal gowns were stolen from a designer’s shop in Armadale last night, according to media reports.
The authorities were called to Manuell & Moore about 11 pm. The front window has been smashed with the designer dresses, costing up to $80,000 missing. The designer is famous for the exquisite bridal gowns and matching bridal lingerie.

The police officials immediately scoured the areas for the offenders and they found about eleven of the stolen items at the back of an apartment block nearby. The three unaccounted bridal gowns are valued between $10,000 and $20,000.

The store shot to fame for the past few years after Manuell & Moore provided the dress for Amy Pollard, known to be the beau of Luke Ball of Saint-turned-Magpie, during the 2005 Brownlow Medal.

In last year’s event, the store gained more popularity for providing the dresses for popular personalities such as Olivia Anderson, Lauren Kirkman and Sonja Roberts.

The sixty-eight year old public official, wearing a traditional Zulu dress married 37-year old Thobeka Stacey Mabhija during a colorful and lavish ceremony that was attended by more than three thousand guests at his hometown of eNkandla, located at a remote village in KwaZulu-Natal province. The bride also wore a traditional wedding dress.

Zuma’s brother Mike said that the affair was a traditional one filled with celebrating and dancing. He added that it was a happy day for the newlyweds and for the Zuma family.

The couple already has three children together and were married in accordance to the country’s laws.

Mabhija accepted Zuma as her husband during the ceremony by performing a solo dance which included brandishing a spear and a shield in the middle of the field.

Chanel India’s head of public relations and press Marielou Phillips revealed that there’s an increasing demand for gold bags and bridal accessories in the country due to the Indian’s preference to something gold and the holiday season only heightens up the interest due to weddings and other special occasions usually being held at this time of the year.

Phillips revealed that they noted a spike in sales of bridal accessories and bags during Diwali, Christmas and New Year. Also gaining public attention are dresses, skirts and jumpsuits since these clothes were seen being worn by popular celebrities Ramona Narang Rodella and Shilpa Shetty, known fashion icons in the country.

Christian Dior Couture Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kalyani Chawla agrees that gold is a trend in the country, adding that gold skirts are also making waves among Indian women.

With wedding suits in place, the supporters of a gay couple who’s bidding to become the first in Argentina to tie the knot said that they will continue with the ceremony despite the hold placed by an Argentine judge on this matter.

Reports revealed that national judge Marta Gomez Alsina has ordered the blockage of the planned gay wedding until an issue can be made by the Supreme Court.

Alex Freyre, and his partner Jose Maria Di Bello are scheduled to get married on Tuesday based on the green light issued by a Buenos Aires-based judge. However, the hold will advertently affect the couple’s plans.

Argentine Federation for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals President Maria Rachid said that everyone was shocked with the news and saddened that the ceremony will not take place as planned. However, Rachid said that the group may organize a protest on this matter if the civil wedding will not push through.