Business: A flair 4 fashion: High-tech sisters open women's clothing boutique in Menlo Park Business: A flair 4 fashion: High-tech sisters open women's clothing boutique in Menlo Park (January 26, 2005)

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Lifestyles Editor

"Julie and I have always had a passion for clothing," says Tamara Michel, who is co-owner with her sister, Julie, of 4 Clothing Solutions in Menlo Park.

Growing up in Sandusky, Ohio, the sisters were taught to sew by their grandmother. Their grandfather ran a bakery. "I think that influenced us to become entrepreneurs," says Tamara.

4 Clothing Solutions, featuring fashions for women in sizes 0 to 14, opened last July at 809 Santa Cruz Ave. The space was formerly occupied by Girly Girl boutique, whose fashions proved too trendy for local shoppers.

The Michel sisters decided to go into retail after leaving high-tech jobs in Silicon Valley. Julie's company was bought out and Tamara quit her job around a year ago.

After working out a business plan, they began looking for space close to San Jose, where both live. "We started in Sunnyvale and kept going north," says Tamara.

Then a real estate agent steered them toward Menlo Park. "We were thrilled with the wonderful quaint downtown and (driving down Santa Cruz Avenue) found this space for rent," says Tamara. "The next day we put an offer on it."

The new boutique is part of a growing trend in downtown Menlo Park where established upscale women's clothing stores -- such as Calla, Alta, Angela, and Pink Tangerine -- are thriving.

The proximity to Stanford Shopping Center doesn't worry the Michel sisters. "A lot of our customers don't like mall shopping," says Tamara. "We offer things that are unique," adds Julie.

The shop sells many "versatile timeless classics," such as a plum velvet blazer ($138). "This could fit into anyone's wardrobe," says Tamara. She pulls out a handsome black suit. "I have this suit and I also ordered it for my fiance's 87-year-old mother. Our customers range from age 20 to 90."

The store carries items that can be worn in different ways on different occasions. To explain the concept, Julie points out an article in Lucky magazine that shows how a gray cashmere sweater or khaki pants can be worn four ways: party, date, weekend and work.

The sisters do their buying in New York and Los Angeles and spring items are already beginning to arrive.

"We look for newer designers that haven't saturated the market," says Tamara. "We've also developed our own brand. While you would pay $200 for a name-brand jacket, we can sell ours for $100."

"Since we both sew, we know quality construction," she adds.

Merchandising in Menlo has also brought surprises. "When we opened, we thought some of our wilder print capris and skirts might be too much for the ladies. Those were the first things that sold out," says Tamara.

"We had a shirt that looked like it had a giant tattoo on the back and we were selling it to women in their 60s," says Julie.

Spring fashion promises "lots of nice colors, fun skirts and a lot of graphic prints. The length will be a little bit more ladylike, to the knee or a little bit lower. It leaves something to the imagination," says Tamara.

Fun stuff in the store includes a line of handbags designed by Mary Frances of Marin. "Cheers," a clutch decorated with a wine bottle and grapes, sells for $108. A beaded butterfly is featured on a handbag with a garden theme. The purses sell for between $65 and $200.

Vintage brooches that their mother, Jean, has collected over the years by haunting estate sales, make up a dazzling display in one of the glass-topped cases. Colorful pajamas are also featured in the store, including a pair of PJs patterned with a sushi design that were a big hit with a teenage shopper.

The 30-something sisters look as if they stepped from the pages of Vogue. They are eager to pass on their fashion savvy to customers by giving advice on design and color.

"We will also follow up on specific requests," says Julie. To help a client assemble a stylish wardrobe, they are willing to take a favorite jacket or pants and "build on that," says Julie. "We will also follow up on specific requests."
4 Clothing Solutions is located at 809 Santa Cruz. Ave. in downtown Menlo Park. Phone: 322-8444. Web site: www.4clothingsolutions.com.

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