Copyright 2004 Paul Morris.

 Cardiff bridal gown designer Melanie Hobday has a background in theatre costume. Which is not surprising when you see some of her creations.

"Even as a child I loved dressing up." says 32 year old Melanie. "But I really got a bug for making clothes when I joined the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain in 1990. It was so exciting."

"One of my favourites was Ophelia for a production of Hamlet. It was beautiful. Maybe that's where my flare for medieval designs came from."

The former Cardiff Art College student has built a huge reputation with her Medieval style gowns. They demand a lot of research and can take days, even weeks, to make. Prices range from a few hundred pounds to a several thousand.

So what is it that makes Melanie so passionate about what she does?

"I like the variety." she says. "Every job is different. I like a challenge."

During the summer months, Melanie's bridal gowns keep her very busy. But through the winter she creates outfits for exotic dancers and female impersonators.

"Now THEY're fantastic" she says. "They wear the most outrages clothes. Some of the drag costumes are quite hideous to look at and they're such fun to make."

In addition to her usual work, Melanie is currently designing costumes for a Mid Wales Opera production of Rigoletto which opens on 8th September at Theatre Hafren, Powys, before touring the country.