| MAKING SA BRIDAL HISTORY For the first time ever in South African bridal history, a bridal exhibition will both acknowledge and award local specialist bridal designers and couturiers. The launch of the Bridal Africa Specialist Designer Award, to be hosted at Bridal Africa at Sandton Convention Centre on the 6th and 7th of November 2010, will see exhibiting SA designers design a "Red Carpet Showstopper" for a SA celebrity of their choice. The designer who delivers the best interpretation will win an international travel trip for two and can choose between London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong or Dubai. Marnie Heim-Stafford, Marketing Manager of First Travel, Bridal Africa's ‘Official Travel Agent for 2010' and sponsor of the prize, said: "Once the winner has made their decision, we will work with them to plan an exceptional trip which will suit their preferences in terms of visiting a relevant industry show, thus facilitating them to make valuable contacts, business deals or purchasing necessary fabrics." In yet another first for the bridal industry, SA's top fashion designers who have contributed towards the local wedding industry will be honoured at Bridal Africa for their contribution. Dee Reuvers, CEO of Bridal Africa, said: "These designers, who have in recent years rarely exhibited their garments to the public, will treat our visitors to a fashion show of their signature designs. Bridal Africa will be in a league of its own as it brings glamour back to the SA wedding industry and creates a hugely exciting platform of choices for the bride and her groom." Not forgetting young and upcoming bridal designers, the prize ante for Bridal Africa Young Designer Award has been upped significantly. Reuvers announced the winner will now receive a R10 000 cash prize. "Bridal Africa is gathering momentum in its execution of a bridal exhibition that is an exclusive and distinctive package of entertainment and business. Reuvers said: "Exhibitors and consumers are bored to death of traditional bridal expos. Bridal Africa has a fresh approach to exhibiting and will include multiple competitions providing brides with a greater chance of winning, unique décor concepts like ice sculptures, exhibitors providing interactive displays and service providers launching completely unique concepts. Bridal Africa visitors can look forward to two days packed full of one-of-a-kind attractions. The allure of Bridal Africa has also increased for wedding service providers. The Wedding Photography competition's theme is "A Moment in Time" and will consist of a gallery wall of framed entries for visitors to peruse. The Wedding Cake competition will feature a range of modern and traditional cake creations. Deon Swarts, owner of The Cake Genie, could not contain his excitement: "It's about time that wedding cake makers were recognised for their specialisation, and by judges that we respect. Dilene Cranna was Unilever's SA 2009 Chef of the Year and Wade van der Merwe has undertaken two Olympics for Culinary Team South Africa. Visitors will also be able to compare us on skill, presentation, creativity and taste." Reuvers said taking all this and the added benefits into account, it made astute business sense to run Bridal Africa as a big event, and not a bi-event or pavilion as before. "With this new positioning we can accommodate the huge amount of attention that our core competition, the Specialist Bridal Designer Award, and the various other draw cards will attract. We can now ensure our market segmentation is highly focused. Bridal Africa will remain in its upmarket and traditionally high-visitor location at Sandton Convention Centre but will be run independently over the weekend of the 6th and 7th of November," concluded Reuvers. |
