A CATWALK show of repurposed wedding dresses thrilled a 200-strong crowd in the Bishop’s Barn on August 10.
Sixty models wearing 115 dresses took to the catwalk in the Dreams and Dresses event, a highlight of the Tanys Transformations project started by Tanys Kolizeras during her year as Mayor of Wells. The project has involved hundreds of people transforming former wedding dresses into an array of beautiful gowns to raise funds for the Heads Up and Whizz Kidz charities.
The Dreams and Dresses night started with dancing from Leo Haines, and included singing from opera singer Felicity Day. Food and drink was available in the grounds of the Barn, and there was an auction of promises and a raffle.
Felicity stepped in at the last minute after the original opera singer was taken ill. In her ‘day job’ she is one of the managers at Shepton Mallet Prison, where the dresses are now on display until September 29.
“The show was spectacular, I have never experienced anything like it,” said Tanys.
“It was our own little one-night Glastonbury Festival, with a twist. It was like My Big Greek Wedding with no bride and groom but instead 116 gorgeous bridesmaids in spectacular upcycled wedding dresses.
“Watching the models coming into their own and growing in confidence was truly wonderful. It was important for them to have the feeling of the best version of themselves and this was possible due to the many hair stylists and make-up artists who turned up in droves, all volunteers wanting to help.
Many hair stylists and make-up artists volunteered to help
“The creativity enhanced the beautiful dresses. Some had taken nearly two years to create. One dress alone had 70 people working on it.
“Each one of these dresses has a large story attached to it. Hopefully we have made a large impact on our community, transforming dresses, transforming lives, transforming the people around us to make people feel good about themselves and help each other with kindness and hope.
“We have many donated dresses still to transform and they will be completed once we have caught our breath.”
Tanys paid tribute to choreographers Juliet Matthews and Anna Gifford, and Storm Productions who were responsible for the lighting and sound. Video of the event was captured by Paul Clegg, who has posted clips on Facebook, and which are available on his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@paulclegg-wells
Tanys said that the show raised £4,500 for charity.
Once the exhibition at Shepton Mallet Prison has ended, there are plans to create a dress trail in Glastonbury.
“This is just the start of an amazing journey to show what Wells and the surrounding areas can do. By working together big things can happen,” said Tanys.
Tanys Transformations is going to become a Community Interest Company to keep the project going. Donations to the charitable causes can be made through the webpage tanystransformations.co.uk
• Main picture: The Dreams and Dresses finale (Philip Welch)