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BARCELONA - It has all the trimmings of any luxury designer bridal shop - the only difference is it is only for gay men.
The shop, called By, which bills itself as the first in Europe to cater only for homosexual men, will open in Barcelona this week.
Made-to-measure suits, some inlaid with 22-carat gold, will retail for between 1,500 and 6,000.
Apart from traditional bridal suits, also on offer are a collection of rings, boxer shorts, bathrobes and other accessories by a collection of mainly Spanish designers for the big day.
It is will offer clients a tailor-made service for anything to make their weddings as special as anything which heterosexual couples might enjoy.
Owner Santiago Porrero said: "We saw there was a gap in the market for gay men though we are not only aiming for homosexuals.
"It is called By because each person can have a unique creation by one of our designers. There will only be one of these suits in the world."
The shop, in an area of Barcelona nicknamed 'Gaycelona' because of the large number of businesses which target the homosexual community, is to open on May 30.
Its inauguration is timed to coincide with a fashion show called Barcelona Bride Week.
Mr Porrero added: "What we offer can be as varied and original as a bride's dress. You are now starting to see more traditional bridal shops offering something for gay couples, but it is only because they think they should."
He said he chose Barcelona because he says it's an "open-minded and modern city, very linked to design and an important tourist destination for gays".
Mr Porrero said he hopes some gay couples from Britain and other countries may travel to Barcelona to choose their outfits.
The shop is to offer an express service to save them making repeat journeys.
Same-gender marriages were approved by Spanish parliament in this once staunchly Catholic and conservative country in 2005.
Adoption by same-sex couples was also legalised at the same time.
Mr Porrero, 32, a Mexican who graduated from the prestigious Esade business school in Barcelona, said after the law was approved in Spain, he decided to launch the business in this country.
"I saw the opportunity to do business after the law was approved. I didn't know of any other country that had a shop or boutique for gay weddings," he said.
"It will be an exclusive and personal product for a special day," Mr Porrero said.
"It was obvious that gays, who also marry, needed their own bride shop."
Already some customers have placed orders for personalised boxer shorts with the initials of their beloved hand-sewn into the material.
- INDEPENDENT
