How Twilight fans are faking engagements so they can try on $799 replica of Bella Swan's wedding dress
When Bella Swan married Edward Cullen at the start of the latest Twilight movie, girls around the world melted at the romantic woodland ceremony.
Now, it seems some fans are attempting to make at least part of that dream come true - by pretending they are engaged so they can try on a replica of Bella's $35,000 Carolina Herrera gown.
Staff at Alfred Angelo, the chain which secretly worked with Breaking Dawn producers on its $799 copycat dress, told TMZ that the unnecessary demand is 'driving them crazy'.
Something borrowed: Some Twilight fans are pretending that they are engaged so they can try on Alfred Angelo's $799 replica of Bella Swan's wedding gown
They said that the so-called Twi-hards are making it 'extremely difficult to conduct business', presumably because they are wasting their efforts on customers who are not buying.
It is also likely that the dresses are suffering wear and tear from being tried on so many times.
It is little surprise that the dress has inspired such a response. The long-sleeved gown, which was inspired by the Edwardian period Bella's vampire beau was born into, makes for a unique vintage look.
The V-shaped neckline, long sleeves and slimming tailoring are demure and flattering, while the lace back, with its rows of beading, are a dramatic feminine detail.
Movie highlight: The original gown, designed by U.S.-based, Venezuela-born designer Carolina Herrera, featured at the start of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, when Bella Swan finally marries Edward Cullen
Speaking about the top secret project in August, designer Michael Shettel told the Wall Street Journal: 'It really is for a Twilight fan because it does represent what the film is about... [but] I think the silhouette transcends may different viewpoints.'
The low price point did prove a challenge for the design team though.
'There were pricing issues to try to get it down to $799,' Mr Shettel revealed. 'That was the biggest issue more than design issues.'
Indeed, the replica design does differ from Herrera's original in that it is made from satin, rather than silk, and the lace design is different.
Fantasy scene: Girls around the world melted at the couple's romantic woodland ceremony
Brides who want to copy the look exactly will have to wait until Herrera's spring 2012 collection goes on sale. And for $35,000, they too can have a Breaking Dawn-worthy dress.
The Manolo Blahnik shoes, that Bella so struggled to walk in, will also be available to buy next year - no doubt also at an eye-watering price.
In the film, adapted from Stephenie Meyer's Trilogy series, Bella and Edward, played by real-life couple Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, finally tie the knot.
Fans spent many months debating the many possible forms of Bella's dress, which was a closely-guarded secret.
Meyer fuelled speculation, describing it as 'elegant white satin, cut on the bias, with long sleeves.
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