Celebrity fashion designer ‘Huw Fash’ has decided to close his popular wedding dress shop in Llandeilo, Wales, after facing a life-changing health challenge. Huw Rees, who has been a familiar face on S4C programmes Prynhawn Da and Heno as a fashion expert for over 30 years, made the difficult decision to shut down his renowned shop which has been showcasing his designs for brides for the past 16 years. The closure announcement came after Huw disclosed his battle with stage five renal failure, requiring him to undergo dialysis five times a week. Due to the demanding nature of his health condition, he felt it was no longer feasible to run the shop at the level of excellence he desired.
Despite the disappointment of closing his shop, Huw Fash decided to turn the situation into a positive one by generously donating a collection of dresses to the British Red Cross shop in Llandeilo. This act of kindness aimed to give those in need the opportunity to purchase their dream dresses at a fraction of the price, allowing them to experience the luxury of designer gowns. The British Red Cross shop manager expressed overwhelming gratitude for the donation of approximately 30 wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, veils, and accessories, stating that the store was buzzing with excitement as customers flocked in to try on the elegant gowns.
In addition to the charitable donation to the British Red Cross, Huw Fash also extended his generosity to West Wales Poundies, a dog rescue and charity, by gifting some of his signature gowns in appreciation of their support in rescuing his beloved dog, Gruff. Moreover, the fashion designer donated dresses to Bridgend College and Carmarthen College of Art to aid students in their study of sustainable fashion, specifically focusing on bridal wear. Huw emphasized the importance of sustainability in the fashion industry and has been actively involved in educating students on the subject as a visiting lecturer.
As Huw’s shop prepares to close its doors for the last time on Saturday, March 22, he shared his plans for the future, revealing his ambition to train as a wedding celebrant. Reflecting on his journey, Huw expressed his gratitude to his loyal staff and clientele, acknowledging the unwavering support he has received throughout the years. Despite the challenges posed by his health condition, Huw remains positive and enthusiastic about his new venture as a wedding celebrant, where he hopes to continue being a part of people’s special moments by officiating non-religious ceremonies.
The closure of Huw Fash’s shop has stirred an outpouring of love and support from the community and social media users, who have praised his dedication to the bridal industry and applauded his selfless act of donating dresses to charity. While bidding farewell to his successful bridal shop marks the end of an era, Huw looks forward to embarking on a new chapter in his career and embracing the opportunity to play a significant role in the joyous occasions of weddings as a celebrant. As Huw’s story unfolds, his resilience and generosity continue to inspire those around him, leaving a lasting impact on the fashion and bridal industry in Wales.