Boutique opens for Barcelona's gay 'brides'

It has all the trimmings of any luxury designer bridal shop - the only difference is that 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 (£1,000) 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 will offer clients a tailor-made service for anything to make their weddings as special as anything which heterosexual couples might enjoy.

Santiago Porrero, the owner, 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 30 May. 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 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 the 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 that after the law was approved, he decided to launch the business.

"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 was obvious that gays, who also marry, needed their own bride shop."