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Bridal boutique donates wedding gowns as it closes

Charlie Buckland
BBC News
Huw Rees Photo of Huw Rees in his store window display, you can read the gold signage in the window reading "Huw Rees". Huw is holding a veil which is attached to a mannequin dressed in a strappy lace white wedding dress. He looks with concentration at the shoulder strap. He has silver hair and a silver beard. He wears a black turtleneck top on with a black and white houndstooth shacket. Another mannequin can be seen in the background, with an embellished dress and white veil. Huw Rees
Mr Rees says he had to close the store due to his kidney failure

The owner of a popular bridal boutique has donated almost 100 bespoke gowns to charity as it closes its doors.

Store owner and broadcaster Huw Rees said he had to close Huw Rees Brides in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, after 16 years of business due to his kidney failure.

Mr Rees said closing a business is always difficult but he wanted to close it on a "positive note" by giving back to charity.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast ahead of its closure at the end of March, Mr Rees said dresses have so far been donated to Cancer Research, the British Red Cross, local colleges and a local dogs charity.

Also known as Huw "Fash", Mr Rees is a regular face on S4C programmes Prynhawn Da and Heno, and has previously opened up about being on dialysis for kidney disease.

"People have been disappointed, we're a multi award-winning brand and just won a national wedding award just recently," Mr Rees said.

"But customers who know why have been so supportive."

Mr Rees said donations have been ongoing but around 20 dresses have been donated to Cancer Research, while 40 gowns have been handed over to Bridgend and Carmarthen college to "work on sustainability".

Donations were also sent to a local dogs charity and around 30 wedding dresses, including bridesmaids' dresses, veils and accessories have gone to the British Red Cross in Llandeilo.

Charlotte Walker Picture of a row of wedding dresses in a store. There are around 14 dresses in colours of white and ivory. They are hung upon a silver clothes rail, some are satin while others are flowered lace layered over tulle. Charlotte Walker
Huw Rees donated 30 wedding dresses to the British Red Cross store in Llandeilo

British Red Cross shop manager Sarah Morris said they were "overwhelmed" by the generosity of the designer donation.

Ms Morris said: "The shop has been buzzing with excitement. The phone has been ringing with enquiries about the dresses, and customers have been visiting us to try the dresses on.

"The money raised by selling these dresses will support our work across the UK and around the world, allowing us to continue to be there for people in crisis. We're truly grateful to Huw for this donation."

The collections include bespoke designs by Mr Rees, as well as gowns from designers such as Ellis Bridal, Lou Lou and Louise Bentley, which are typically priced upwards of £1,000.

But the designer dresses have since been sold for between £50 to £100, said Mr Rees.

The stylist said he has also sold a lot of stock in a sale in the shop, adding: "I don't want people to think I'm some extremely kind saint from Wales who gives everyone expensive dresses.

"I'm doing what I can and it's time now to think clearly about where these dresses are going to go.

"We've had 16 successful years and I'm just grateful for the supportive brides."

The stylist said they will continue to finish working with the brides that they have on the books, and said their last wedding is in November.

Mr Rees said he is now training to be a celebrant and hopes to be marrying the brides instead of working on dresses.