The owner of a well-established bridal boutique in Llandeilo, Huw Rees, has donated nearly 100 bespoke wedding gowns to charity as he prepares to close his business after 16 years of operation.
Mr. Rees, the stylist and broadcaster behind Huw Rees Brides, announced that he was forced to shut down his shop due to kidney failure. In an effort to leave on a “positive note,” he has donated a variety of dresses to several organizations, including Cancer Research, the British Red Cross, local colleges, and even a dog charity.
In an interview with BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Mr. Rees expressed his gratitude for the support he’s received from customers, despite the disappointment surrounding the closure. “We are a multi-award-winning brand and just won a national wedding award recently, but customers who know why have been very supportive,” he said.
Among the generous donations, approximately 20 dresses have been given to Cancer Research, while 40 gowns have been sent to Bridgend and Carmarthen colleges for sustainability projects. An additional 30 wedding dresses, along with bridesmaids’ dresses, veils, and accessories, have been donated to the British Red Cross in Llandeilo.
Sarah Morris, the manager of the British Red Cross shop, expressed her appreciation for the donation, describing the store as “overwhelmed” by the gesture. “The shop has been buzzing with excitement. The phone has been ringing with enquiries about the dresses, and customers have been visiting to try them on,” she said. “The money raised will support our work across the UK and worldwide, helping people in crisis. We are truly grateful to Huw for this donation.”
The donated dresses, which include bespoke designs by Mr. Rees as well as gowns from luxury brands such as Ellis Bridal, Lou Lou, and Louise Bentley, are typically priced above £1,000. However, the gowns have been sold for a fraction of their original price, between £50 and £100.
Known as Huw “Fash” and a regular on S4C programs such as Prynhawn Da and Heno, Mr. Rees has been open about his health struggles, including undergoing dialysis for kidney disease. Despite the closure, he has assured clients that his team will honor all existing commitments, with the last wedding scheduled for November.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Rees shared that he is training to become a celebrant and hopes to officiate weddings rather than continue in the world of dress design. “We’ve had 16 successful years, and I’m just grateful for the supportive brides,” he said. “Now it’s time to think about the future.”
