Early Life
Alberto Palatchi was born in Barcelona, Spain, around 1949 or 1950. His father fled Turkey during World War I and moved to Barcelona. In 1922, Alberto's parents opened a store called El Suizo in Barcelona, which specialized in lace and embroidery for wedding dresses.
Rise to Success
In 1964, Alberto Palatchi inherited a store from his parents. He grew the business into Pronovias, one of the largest wedding dress companies in the world. Palatchi is credited with popularizing the mermaid-style wedding dress. In October 2017, Palatchi sold 90% of Pronovias to British private equity firm BC Partners for an estimated $550–655 million.
Key Business Strategies
Alberto Palatchi's key strategy was to transform wedding dresses into ready-to-wear garments, making them accessible to a wider audience. Pronovias pioneered the concept of presenting wedding dresses through fashion shows, which helped shift bridal fashion into a more modern, international industry. The company expanded internationally, opening stores and using franchises to grow rapidly.
Philanthropy
Palatchi is known to be a philanthropist and has donated to various charities.
