Gays to get their first wedding boutique in Spain

BARCELONA: Spain’s eastern city of Barcelona next week will open purportedly Europe’s, and perhaps the world’s, first wedding wear boutique for gay couples, according to Mexican proprietor Santiago Porrero.

The discreet outlet for the groom and groom in Barcelona’s thriving gay quarter will seek to provide an alternative range of wedding attire away from traditional gear, Porrero, surrounded by a team of Spanish couturiers, said.

Porrero explained he wanted to attract “a man of personality who will here find products which do not exist elsewhere in terms of their design and material.” He added he had the idea of opening the store after realising there was great demand for same-sex marriages in Spain, which gave such unions the go-ahead after the Socialist government introduced legislation to that effect two years ago.

“We hope to propose a mixture of classic tailoring and ready to wear” items, said Porrero, adding he was targeting “fashion conscious” men. The opening of the boutique, called By, will coincide with bridalwear week in Barcelona.

The store will also sell rings, jewellery and other gifts for gay couples, as well as a full range of household fabrics, including Egyptian cotton bed linen and sheets embroidered with the date of the ceremony.

And, somewhat more daringly, transparent linen pyjamas which “offer a glimpse of just enough,” says Porrero.