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Kaleidoscope of upcycled bridal gowns worn on Wells runway

Sam Ingram A group of volunteers wearing colourful upcycled dressesSam Ingram
The Transformations fashion show took place at Wells Cathedral

A "kaleidoscope" of donated, upcycled wedding dresses have been paraded on the runway at a charity fashion show.

Wells mayor Tanys Pullin has so far had more than 1,000 volunteers breathe new life into 60 dresses.

Each one has been designed to reflect different charities and issues.

Ms Pullin said it was "incredible" to finally see all of the dresses together at the show at Wells Cathedral in Somerset on 13 January.

"It was a plethora of beautiful colours, a bevvy of beauties and a kaleidoscope of amazing dresses that were just super," she said.

Sam Ingram Two women in red dresses with their arms raised at the fashion showSam Ingram
More than 38 models volunteered to wear the dresses for the charity event

She said the Transformations project was about helping people to connect while making dresses for a good cause.

"It started off making one wedding dress for a woman who is 103, I sat by her bed and we coloured it in together.

"Then others wanted to do one too and one thing led to another," Ms Pullin said.

Sam Ingram Tanys Pullin smiling while having her makeup doneSam Ingram
Ms Pullin said all the dresses had a deeper meaning and story behind them

"I then soon realised this project was more about transformations and helping people make connections in their communities - upcycling the wedding dresses was the vehicle.

"The dresses all have stories. Underneath the dress there might be things hidden like mouths with zips on to signify the struggles people have with opening up," she added.

Sam Ingram A woman in a red and blue dress on a runwaySam Ingram
Ms Pullin said it was "incredible" to finally see the dresses go down the runway

Ms Pullin started the project in May 2023 and has chosen to donate money raised to charities Whizz Kids and Heads Up.

The dresses will go down the catwalk again in a final Transformations fashion event on 3 August, when they will be auctioned off for charity.

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