In 2011, I joined a trade delegation to New Delhi, India. My daughter followed after two days since she had a fashion show the day before. We stayed either at the Oberoi or Taj Mahal Hotel, I can’t remember na, but our hotel was a short ride to the famous Khan Market. A dear friend of ours, Chian Callaghan, who owns the beautiful Narra Hill Events and Hotel in Batangas, knows India by heart, like the back of her hand, as she’s been coming here for decades for R&R (relax and recreation), was the one who told me about the many clothing boutiques in Khan Market. She warned me though that the items could be pricey, but one of a kind, unlike clothes you’ll find in other regular markets.
So my daughter and I went exploring in Khan Market and I ended up buying several dresses from Manan Design and from other shops. The challenge was the sizes. Since the items were one of a kind, if they only have a size small then wala ng pag-asa.
I went crazy upon entering the Manan Boutique.
They have timeless pieces and well curated designs, authentic, original and handcrafted. No wonder their designs are most sought after by women not only in India but those who appreciate their value. And dami kong nabili and some of the clothes with a one size fits all style, I still wear up to now.
Manan was established 32 years ago by Madhavi Ganeriwalla in 1992. The brand’s strength comes not only from the timeless designs but also from the quality of handwoven fabrics used.
I liked this white dress (quadrant 4) so much even if it was a size small so I bought it. At that time, I was only a medium, and I was thinking If I skipped some meals then this would fit me in no time at all. But wrong. Instead of skipping meals, I ate and ate and ate. Kaya eto size XL na.
The royal blue with black lace is another tiny dress. It’s a size small and according to the store where I bought it from, it was made in Paris. Nowadays I consider it rare to find clothes not made in China. I found it at a small boutique in Budapest, Hungary, owned by a French lady who travelled back and forth to Paris to source for dresses to sell in her boutique. I bought this dress with the intention to give it to the girlfriend of my son that time. She was slim and petite, very pretty, long-haired, and I thought this dress would be perfect on her. Unfortunately, when I came home from Budapest, I totally forgot about this dress. It was still in the same plastic bag tucked away deep inside my closet, hidden together with all the other dresses I had bought on that trip. When I found it after several years, my son and this girl had broken-up. Sayang, I wasn’t able to give her the dress. I thought of giving it to her pero baka inappropriate na dahil when I discovered the existence of this dress, she already had a new boyfriend. And my son had moved on too.
The black cardigan is not old. It’s brand new and unworn complete with labels and tag price. I believe I bought it in February of this year in the US.
There was a time na nahilig ako bumili ng corset. Hilig lang, hindi ko naman naisuot talaga. They were intended to be worn when I would be wearing a gown na medyo manipis ang tela.
Together with some other clothing, I gave away these items to Makati Ford’s loyal employee, Kay Anne Ikan, who’s been with us for at least 15 years. Mukhang Baby pa sya when I hired her walang kamuwang-muwang. She’s pretty and petite. Kasya at bagay sa kanya itong mga clothes. And she didn’t mind receiving hand me down items from me.
Manan Design
37B, Khan Market, Rabindra Nagar, New Delhi, 110003
