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Master couturiers Valentino, Elie Saab and Ungaro have all put their creative talents at the service of Pronovias, the Spanish bridalwear label which has become a global force in the sector.

Pronovias has changed the way bridal gowns are sold. It has pioneered commercial and business techniques that are now common practice, such as specialist boutiques; partnerships with top designers; and a commitment to prêt-à-porter. The Pronovias Fashion Group encompasses the labels Pronovias, St Patrick, La Sposa, Atelier Diagonal, W1 White One and SP The Collections. Together, they have a share of the Spanish market totalling more than 40% and account for 5% of global sales in the sector. The imminent opening of shops in New York and London are evidence of the buoyant situation of this Spanish company.

El Suizo struck gold

Pronovias has not always been this glamorous. The firm’s origins date back to 1922 when Alberto Palatchi Bienviste arrived in Barcelona from Turkey. He opened a little shop called El Suizo in the city centre, which specialised in fabrics and lace. Over the years, the shop became the place to buy fabric for bridal gowns.

In the early 1960s Palatchi Bienviste had a visionary idea: bridal gowns would become prêt-à-porter garments and brides could come into the shop and try them on. As a result, in 1964 he presented his first collection under the Pronovias label. In 1968 he opened his first specialist bridal boutique on Barcelona’s Paseo de Gracia. The ready-to-wear bridal dress had been born.

Today, Pronovias is still very much a family firm. Now, Alberto Palatchi Ribera, the founder’s son, heads up a company which turned over €127 million in 2005. Palatchi Ribera has injected his own dose of ambition and smart business thinking. Determined to make Pronovias market leader, at the age of just 18, he embarked on the difficult mission of introducing the label into leading Spanish retailers selling bridal gowns. He also offered them the opportunity to open specialist Pronovias boutiques, becoming the first to use the concept of franchising in the bridal business.

Every bride’s a princess

Every bride is unique and every wedding a challenge: this is the Pronovias philosophy, which shares every girl’s excitement from the moment she chooses her dress until the great day itself. Jackie Kennedy, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands and even Latin film star Jennifer Lopez have all gone to the altar in designs by Italy’s master couturier Valentino. Today, Pronovias has made it possible for every bride to do the same. Its exclusive partnerships with some of the world’s top designers are one of the keys to its international success.

Pronovias makes and distributes exquisite bridal gowns by Emmanuel Ungaro, Elie Saab, Valentino and Badgley Mischka, not forgetting Spanish designers including Lorenzo Caprile, Hannibal Laguna and Manuel Mota, who is also the group’s creative director.