The Bride Show Abu Dhabi 2010 opens

Seasoned style-savvy women will be hot-footing it down to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre to pour over the haute couture evening dresses, wedding dresses and abayas, make-up, hair and wellbeing products and services as well as pieces of beautiful jewellery to make you stand out from the crowd, and meet with wedding and event planners, travel operators and more.

Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif, wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who officially opens The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, the exhibition is a well loved, established and must-attend date in every UAE fashionista's diary.

A number of new exhibitors are taking part in the Abu Dhabi show for the first time and many companies are using the event to launch new products in the UAE. High-end lingerie line, Claire D, designed by Lebanese television presenter Claire Damaa is being launched at the show and features Tahitian pearls, the best quality silk and lace and stunning embellishments.

L'Oréal Professionnel, one of the sponsors of The Bride Show, will be bringing a 'blow dry bar' to the show, with a team of expert hair stylists offering visitors expert blow dry services. Visitors will be able to learn about the special wedding packages available combining colouring, treatments and hairstyles appropriate for a bride's wedding day as well as be given the chance to win l'Oréal Professionnel hair products.

Meanwhile, Kérastase, the luxurious hair care brand, will offer brides-to-be recommendations on their personalised beauty programmes for a sublime hair transformation before their wedding. Visitors to the Kérastase beauty lounge will get the chance to receive a complimentary 15 minute Ritual with one of the experts, a moment of relaxation combining professional hair treatment application and unique massage techniques.

Intermex Gems will travel to the UAE capital from their boutique in Dubai Mall to showcase an embroidered carpet featuring rubies and emeralds, and display fine jewellery. Spanish company Prima Casta LDA will offer beautifully cut suits for grooms.

A collection of Italian jewellers, Roberto Casarin SRL, Fabio Fanfani, Bruno Aristi, Maggio Teresa & Damianacos Damiano, IMVIDIA and Clio Pro Jewellery, are bringing thousands of dirhams worth of diamonds and other precious stones to Abu Dhabi, ideal for engagement rings and wedding bands.

Representing the Asian region, Visit Korea will return to The Bride Show Abu Dhabi this year to promote their country as an ideal honeymoon and holiday destination. A three night honeymoon to Seoul is up for grabs which includes flights for two as well as accommodation in a five star hotel.

Also from Seoul, and travelling to the UAE for the first time is Prouna, a luxury chinaware company which will unveil their collection of tableware embellished with sparkling crystals and elaborate patterns, designed by a team of internationally-renowned artists. The chinaware is the ultimate dining gift, blending Asian high culture with European tradition in a distinctive and contemporary style, and is only available to purchase from The Bride Show Abu Dhabi.

Fresh and innovative bridal looks will be displayed on the catwalk by a team of models, styled by MAC cosmetics and L'Oréal Professionnel. Highlights on the runway include Sposa by Shiva Taba, Bella Dona Elegant Design and Oshia Fashion Design.

Kick starting the fashion extravaganza is Indian fashion duo Manal and Aartivijay Gupta at 6:00pm on Wednesday 10 February.

With the bridal event taking place just before the most romantic date in the year, a Valentine's Day theme is running throughout the exhibition halls. Arushi, one of the most established design houses in Dubai, has designed an exquisite pink and off-white creation, worth Dhs20,000, for their fashion show finale piece, which will go home with one lucky visitor to their catwalk show on Thursday at 8pm.

Wedding organiser Carnation will be giving away free red roses to everyone who visits their stand. With many exhibitors offering exclusive discounts and fantastic competition prizes such as a one carat diamond for one lucky visitor, the event is expected to attract more than 15,000 people from around the region.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, organised by IIR Middle East, is the most prestigious bridal exhibition in the UAE capital and takes place daily until Saturday 13 February 2010 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, from 2:30pm to 10:30pm. Admission is reserved exclusively for women on Thursday 11 February; entry is 10dhs.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi is followed by The Bride Show Dubai which takes place from 7 to 10 April 2010 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.