“There’s no such thing as too much bling. That’s my motto, I live by that.”
Within moments of meeting her, it’s clear that Mary Ann Sudnick, owner of Mariani’s Boutique, is a whirlwind of passion and personality. And her hidden gem of a store is part art gallery, part fashion destination—and makes for a spectacular backdrop of glimmering color and Audrey Hepburn portraits on a bright Saturday morning.
“I’m originally from New York. My husband and I moved to Greenville 29 years ago—his job brought us here—and that was a difficult move for me because I left a great career in the city,” Sudnick reflects. “I studied in Manhattan at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and pursued my career in the fashion industry with a passion, eventually working my way up the ladder to become a buyer at Macy’s. That experience in and of itself was fabulous—I was involved in fashion weeks, all of it.”
“I’ve always loved fashion, and I’ve always had a desire to own my own store,” Sudnick confesses, and her personal touches draw the eye with wonder and warmth right away, from the Cinderella-esque sculpture at the entrance and silver receipt platter at the register to the plate of homemade cookies in the fitting area.
“I opened Mariani’s in 2006 and tapped into all of the skills and mentorship I gained in New York to do it. And all those experiences have paid off, allowing me to create this world that my customers love: one that is fascinating, exciting, and always has something new and different.”
Outside of her keen eye for style, Sudnick is known for her wealth of expertise. “Fashion is supposed to be fun. It’s not supposed to be frustrating. A lot of women find it difficult sometimes to determine what they’re looking for, what their personal style is, how to put it all together, and where to shop.”
“I’m a certified image consultant. I help women literally pull wardrobes together, developing their personal style for where they are in life, including color analysis . . . and proportion profiling: how do you dress the beautiful body God gave you? I’m a makeup artist, too. It’s a well-rounded package a customer gets when they come here,” Sudnick smiles. “And the most important part? They get an honest opinion. We are driven by making sure that what we put you in here at Mariani’s not only looks good, but reflects your personality.”
Surrounded by global designers and rare artistry, you might not believe how approachable Mariani’s selection is when you first flip a tag over—but the range of styles and price points reflects Sudnick’s diverse customer base. “It’s amazing how a lot of women will look in the windows of a store like this and think, ‘There’s no way I can afford that.’ But when you walk in, you’ll feel welcomed. Over the years, my customers have become my family, and we’ve gotten to know each other intimately.”
“Accessories are the simplest, easiest, most cost-effective way to update a wardrobe. We’re known for our jewelry. People love our selection because you won’t find these pieces anywhere else.”
Those community-building connections are what Sudnick most loves about the world she’s created. “To be honest with you, it’s often not about buying clothes at all. It’s about being supportive, sharing a word of encouragement, and giving a hug—because there’s a lot of people who are hurting right now, and they need to come into an environment that feels safe, friendly and fun. We want women walking out of here with a sense of accomplishment and confidence. To leave feeling both beautiful and uplifted.”
A Walk Down Memory Lane with Mary Ann Sudnick
1980: Graduated from New York Fashion Institute of Technology
1982: Became a buyer at Macy’s
1992: Moved to Greenville, S.C.
2006: Opened Mariani’s Boutique
2022: Big news on the horizon!
Mariani’s Boutique
3604 B Pelham Road, Greenville
864.297.7227
marianisboutique.com
Her Quick Advice:
“Accessories are the simplest, easiest, most cost-effective way to update a wardrobe. We’re known for our jewelry. People love our selection because you won’t find these pieces anywhere else.”
