BANO Boutique is one of the last specialty stores in the Triangle to offer on-site alterations and one-on-one personal wardrobe consultation, along with wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses - even groomsmen. We're committed to your safety and comfort in store. We instituted additional cleaning service, wearing mask, curbside service and private shopping appointments available by calling 919-489-9006.
Services
BANO Boutique has grown from what started as Sima Rafizadeh's zeal and innate eye for quality products and fabrics to a boutique, offering designer clothing from Europe, the US and Canada. Each piece of clothing, from accessories to coats, sweaters, dresses, etc., is hand-picked by Sima on one of her four seasonal buying trips annually to Europe and New York.
BANO Boutique is one of the last specialty stores in the Triangle to offer on-site alterations and one-on-one personal wardrobe consultation. Sima's unexpected career in fashion began in high school when she started sewing for herself. Her love for design and beautiful fabrics became a passion.
So, when Sima moved to Durham over 25 years ago, she worked as a tailor in upscale boutiques before moving to Florence, Italy, where she became a tailor of couture women and men clothing.Returning to Durham several years later, the boutiques offering onsite alterations had disappeared.
So, when Sima moved to Durham over 25 years ago, she worked as a tailor in upscale boutiques before moving to Florence, Italy, where she became a tailor of couture women and men clothing.Returning to Durham several years later, the boutiques offering onsite alterations had disappeared.
Reviews (19)
Tamaria Mccauley
Aug 29, 2021
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I wasn’t going to do this but it’s important normally I go in here to window shop and normally the ladies are nice I even brought an outfit when I first visited here for a photoshoot, however today it was just one lady here and no one came to the door when I rang the bell the other person waiting had to call finally someone came out and I got a very rude “can I help you?” I told her that I was just there to see what came in that was new and while she held the door for the other lady she watched me real hard while I was looking around finally when the other lady came in she raised her voice
Zoie Diana
Aug 21, 2021
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TLDR: body-shaming at my wedding dress fitting 9 days before my wedding day - no thank you!
I had my wedding dress altered at Bano. At first, everything was ok and they did a fine job making the dress shorter/fitting it to my body. However, they forgot about one of my appointments about a month out from the wedding - not a big deal since I still had time. However, my last week before I traveled to Pittsburgh for my wedding, I had my final fitting. They forgot about the appointment again (just days before I was supposed to leave). I was very frustrated, but returned the next day to the rescheduled
I had my wedding dress altered at Bano. At first, everything was ok and they did a fine job making the dress shorter/fitting it to my body. However, they forgot about one of my appointments about a month out from the wedding - not a big deal since I still had time. However, my last week before I traveled to Pittsburgh for my wedding, I had my final fitting. They forgot about the appointment again (just days before I was supposed to leave). I was very frustrated, but returned the next day to the rescheduled
Luis Lema
Jun 04, 2021
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Jo-Anne Lema
May 17, 2021
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Jessica Molina
May 12, 2021
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Brando Smith
Apr 24, 2021
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The owner is EXCEPTIONALLY rude. I live in Durham and she is obviously just here to make a dollar unlike EVERYONE ELSE. She was rude, offensive, and didn't care that the shirt that she was displaying was falling apart. I looked at the brand and went online to buy it HALF THE PRICE!!! I normally don't mind spending extra to support local - but I will be spreading my experience around Durham in hopes she goes back to where she came from.
Aubrey J.
Sep 26, 2018
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Had my wedding dress and rehearsal dinner dress tailored here. My bustle broke during our first dance and the cups for my rehearsal dinner dress were not sewn in properly so one fell out. We paid 800 dollars. I have serious regrets about coming here. I wish more attention was paid, I wasn't really asked what I wanted, I was told what I needed. I always felt rushed at fittings. On top of that I was forced to pick up my dress on a different week than planned because she needed more room her her shop. Horrible experience.i
Tamara Yamaykin
Aug 14, 2018
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Valerie Kershaw
Aug 13, 2018
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Ganlin J.
Aug 20, 2015
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I bought a beaded wedding dress with a train at a thrift store. Took it to Sima. She pinned it. I asked for an estimate. She said she'd call with an estimate on Tuesday, she couldn't give me one then. I called on Tuesday. They said she was out of town for three weeks. I said I wanted the estimate. Ivy said "well, the dress needs a lot of work." I said, "I know, but what's the estimate." She said "$910." I said there was no way, and that I would be picking up the dress. I went in to pick up the dress. They let me keep the hanger, but removed all the pins
Anonymous A.
Jul 31, 2015
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I had a lace dress tailored here. Before purchasing the dress, I visited the boutique to get an idea of how much it would cost to tailor it. Sima, the tailor, said it should be around $60, and made me feel like it would be no big deal. Well, I bought the dress, brought it in, and when I picked it up, the bill was $180. I should have gotten a quote in writing when I brought the dress in. Sima did a great job on the dress--it looked lovely and fit me perfectly. But, if I were to use her services again, I would be sure to get a written quote before she tailored!!
Juan J.
Jun 04, 2015
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Just rude!!!!! never will I shop with them. Was looking for a evening dress website specifies that they carry evening, cocktail dresses. I called they was rude rushing me off the phone. I was really polite I had to tell her I'm trying to be a customer an your website said you have all these things she was quick to rush me off nothing on the website is up to date.
Beth S.
May 25, 2015
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I had a horrible experience with the tailor at Bano. I brought in my wedding dress and she told me it fit great, she just needed to bring up the shoulders a bit. When I came back for a fitting, the dress fit all wrong, it was too high at the waist and too tight in the back. Rather than admitting she had made a mistake, the tailor body-shamed me, told me that I "just needed to lose weight" before my wedding. I was there with a friend who is thinner than I am and the tailor told her "teach your friend how to exercise more," and "teach your friend how to eat." After
Mary Sullivan
Oct 08, 2014
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Ann F.
Aug 03, 2013
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This is a wonderful little botique with a sophisticated selection of great looking and fitting everyday as well as more elegant unique women s clothing. I always find something here, the owner is helpful but not overbearing. Every time I am here visiting my family I drop by. Wish I had a shop like this in no California
Katie H.
Jul 27, 2011
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Bano sells really upscale, pricey clothing (though they do have dramatic reductions at sale time). They also do alterations. I recently had them hem my wedding dress (which is really just a white evening gown). They also did some alterations to two of my bridesmaids' dresses. The cost was very high ($275 for the three dresses), so I recommend going elsewhere if you have other options. Next time I will look for a more reasonably priced seamstress.
R. F.
Oct 16, 2009
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Really lovely store with a wide variety of luxury items -- and GREAT sales! I bought a gorgeous Ferragamo scarf for $30 and three dresses for around $45 apiece. My receipt said "You saved $800." Yesssssss!
Sima and her staff are helpful without hovering and really know their stock. The alterations services are prompt and perfect!
Sima and her staff are helpful without hovering and really know their stock. The alterations services are prompt and perfect!
Meg T.
Oct 13, 2009
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Caroline Z.
Jun 06, 2008
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This is an interesting new store - a high-end boutique that caters to women of all ages. I saw filmy tank tops and dresses, and I saw more mature jackets and tops. The salespeople were very friendly and approachable, even though I was wearing a t-shirt and gym shorts and looking weird and grubby. The clothes were quite expensive, and most by labels unfamiliar to me - Mihoko Satio, breadandbutter, Seventy - and there were also quite a few Italian bags and some ties. The other half of the store seems to be an alterations shop.
