An exhibit of underwear worn by Portuguese celebrities, which included an item donated by Manchester United’s teenage football star Cristiano Ronaldo, wrapped up on Thursday after causing traffic to surge at a small gallery in northern Portugal, a spokesperson for the venue said.
Nearly 1 000 people have poured through the doors of Galeria Espacot in Oporto, Portugal’s second-largest city, since the exhibit opened on November 14, more than three times normal attendance, spokesperson Leonel Moraes said.
Among the 30 items which went on display were lingerie from veteran fashion designer Ana Salazar, underwear from Brazilian psychic Simara and a G-string belonging to television comedian Rui Unas — which he claims has never been used.
But one of the biggest draws was a pair of football shorts given to the gallery by Ronaldo, which the football star wore during matches he played while part of the Portuguese national squad, Moraes said.
”It drew in many people. He is really someone who can draw a crowd, a real icon,” Moraes said.
The underwear exhibit was modelled after a successful exhibit of celebrity shoes held eight years ago and was part of the gallery’s 10-year anniversary.
Moraes said the gallery now plans to take the items, which he said were very hard to obtain, on a tour of Portugal.
”It was very complicated; many people said no right away, others thought we were joking, it took a while to piece together,” he said. — Sapa-AFP