Photograph by George Sakkestad
Manaz Tankamani says the styles in her new shop, Manaz, will flatter women of all ages.
New In Town
A dream comes true
For Manaz Tankamani, opening the new avant garde dress shop that bears her name was the end link of a very natural chain of events.
"Ever since I was a little girl, I used to dress up all my dolls. When I was older, I used to dress up my sisters," she says.
Eventually, it got to the point where people came to her of their own accord. "All the time, my friends asked me to go shopping with them. They complimented me on how I dress and asked for advice. They kept asking me, 'when are you going to open your own shop?'"
Although her background is in computer programming and data processing, Tankamani says she has always loved fashion as well as interior design, and has taken many courses in the latter. She combined the two in Manaz, whose layout and fixtures she designed herself.
In her shop, which opened March 6, Tankamani caters to just one type of woman: everyone. She says her merchandise includes clothes suitable for women of any age--from teenagers to senior citizens and everyone in between. She also carries sizes to fit customers ranging from petite to full-figured.
"I feel all women, no matter what their size or age, are beautiful. Sometimes, they just need a little help," she says, explaining that often wardrobe can make all the difference.
To that end, Tankamani carries a wide selection of apparel from French, Italian and East Coast designers, among others. Clothing lines include stylish sweaters, blouses, shirts, tank tops, overalls, pants, skirts and dresses. Complementing them are dressy but comfortable shoes in a variety of styles, along with handbags, jewelry and hand-made hats.
Manaz, 216 1/2 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 399-9983.
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
