Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Karen Giordano recently opened Bella Rosa in downtown Los Gatos.

New In Town

As Beautiful As Its Name

After deciding downtown Los Gatos had a niche that needed filling, Karen Giordano did just that by opening Bella Rosa.

The boutique's title is inspired both by the Italian for "beautiful rose" and from the name of Giordano's golden retriever puppy, Isabella, or Bella. With its rose-patterned curtains and a bowl of sweet-smelling dried roses at the door, the store lives up to its name.

"I felt it was really needed for Los Gatos to have a cute little boutique and more unique items--the kind you're always looking for and can never find. I wanted this place to have more of a feeling of a small boutique that you might find in France or in the City," says Giordano, a Santa Barbaran married to Los Gatos native Chris Giordano. Her store assistant is her aunt, Jackie Giordano.

Giordano accomplished her goal with fashions from designers based in Spain, Italy, New York, Los Angeles and even Santa Barbara. Among the garments are dresses, skirts, blouses, tube tops, cashmere sweaters, long- and short-sleeve T-shirts, stretch denim pants, slacks, mesh tops and soft satin jammies tucked into carrying pouches called "PJs To Go."

Other accoutrements include necklaces, earrings and bracelets, and handmade handbags and pillows, the latter sewn by Giordano's mother, Kathy Reese, a seamstress. Another family member, Giordano's aunt Nancy Hoyem, paints the floral pictures that hang on the walls.

Bella Rosa also carries a selection of bath and body items imported from France. Among these is a line of natural soaps scented with verbena, wild rose, lavender, citron, honey, peach and apricot. Other toiletries include fragranced candles, room sprays, bubble baths and bath salts, oils and gels.

Bella Rosa Boutique, 346 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Hours are Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and by appointment. 354-4206.

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