I recently caught up with my old friend and sister in my head for a little chat over the phone. We talked about   her business,  her family and personal life. Please enjoy the interview.

I really appreciate you for taking time out of your busy schedule to interview with Fashionjunkii. We have known each other for over 15 years now.  You are a very well known woman in the Tanzanian community  and have achieved so much in your life. But for people who don't know you, please tell us a little bit about yourself?

Right now I am married to a lovely husband who shares our 3 kids with me. I am a self employeed woman who has been in the clothing world since 1996. I am very fortunate to have lived my life to the fullest from a very young age..Alhamdulillah!

I  have always admired you  and every time  we get a chance to meet you seem to be getting younger  and younger, what's your secret?

A lot of exercise & healthy food.

I  remember when you used to own Lamia Salon back in Dar es salaam. How was  it like being the one to style all the beauty pageants in Tanzania and also some of the music bands  such as Koffi Olomide when they came to Tanzania for shows?And why did you stop doing hair when you came to the United States?

A. It was fun to be the pageants official beautician. Most of the girls were adolescents at the time, some had never wore make-up and experienced a facial, manicure, or pedicure. I was like their babysitter and I enjoyed helping them.

B. When it comes to the musicians, my hairdressers participated the most because most of the male musicians only needed hair do’s and I specialized in cosmetics. The main stars such as Koffi  Olomide, Awillo, and Defao all got specail treatment from my salonist Sada, mostly with the facials, pedicures, and manicures. I had trained her how to use state of art equipments  that I brought  from France after I attended cosmetic school in Dubai. Now Sada has her own sucessful salon in Mikocheni, Tanzania.

C. I stopped doing hair in the States because the hair industry here has a lot of competition. On every turn and block there’s a salon.

So since you moved to the States what have you been up to?

Currently I’m taking care of my business and family. I run two mens wear shops, Milano and Casanova mens wear.

Tell us about the philosophy of Milano and Casanova?

I named the store casanova when I was with my ex husband. He asked me to pick the best Italian name and  I thought of “Casanova” since he was the sexiest best dressed man in ancient Italy. And since I was the one who came up with the name, I kept it with me even after we divorced. When I opened the second shop MILANO with much support from my husband, Mr.Mali, I didn’t want to continue with the same name.  I was starting a new chapter of my life and so I picked MILANO because Milan is the capital of high fashion. So MILANO is the new name and brand that I am promoting now. We are in the process of face lifting the Casanova store and renaming it MILANO as well and have one main website for both stores.

Casanova shop at Northlake Mall.

6. When did you develop an interest in menswear and why menswear  and not women's?

In 2000 following my move to the USA, I preferred and enjoyed the men’s division more because I was fortunate enough to get to deal directly with different designers & owners of mens clothing lines. I meet and associate with them on an annual basis. Comparing with the womens clothing business , I only know a few designers  which isn’t enough for the volume and capacity within my stores. And besides in every mall there’s at least 7 women shops  with too much competition and sharing of the market .

I visited the sites for your stores and was very impressed with what I saw. The stores looked very well organized. I really like the new shop, Milano.  So this brings the question. Do you have any help or support from your family in running these stores?

Offcourse, without my family I’d be screwed. They contribute a ridiculous amount of help especially my husband and oldest child Leyla. They assist me with many things like promotions, dressing of the mannequins, sales, and rearranging the store settings. Though from time to time, we do endure conflicts over personal views on the store arrangements etc., causing me to pop some Tylenol pills. However this only happens seasonally when we make dramatic changes to the stores because my husband works for his own computer and software export business called MACAFRICA Inc  (www.macafrica.com) and my oldest child goes to high-school.

Linda 's eldest daughter Leyla helping at at the shop

As a retailer, do you get to attend the showrooms or fashion shows when the new collections are being presented or do you send someone (buyer) to do the work for you?

Hell no,  Send someone? Come on now Rose, its like you are calling me dumb (smile). I do my own selections. Love, I get my own special invitation meant only for people who own stores. I attend shows in cities like Las Vegas, New York  and here in Atlanta. Luckily, sometimes the vendors come to visit me at my stores with their merchandises.

What are some of the brands you carry in your stores?

My business has many multiple brands, though some of the main ones are Vinci, Richard Harris, Prestige, Hugo Vetilie, and Victorio Angelo.... etc.

I understand some of us come from countries that the sun shines all through the year which makes it difficult for some of our men to wear suits because of the heat. How does your shop accommodate people who live in warm, tropical countries such as Tanzania?

The majority of my suits are all year round wear. I also have  merchandise for summer purposes like linen outfits & suits, button down shirts (short sleves), straw hats, sandals….ect.

How can the customers who are outside the USA get to purchase the suits from your stores?

They can purchase merchandise by visiting our websites: www.casanovamenswear.com,  www.milanovita.com and or by calling the main tel # at 770 414 5300. Rose allow me to thank my husband for helping in designing these websites. By the way we’re working on more features for the sites

Milano shop at Mall of Georgia

What are you most proud of about your business?

I make my own schedule, I can take my kids to work with me which allows me to spend time with them. But what I like the most of all is whenever my husband takes  me to Vegas to  the biggest clothing show in the world for 3 days and 2 nights, two times a year ( summer & winter). I LOVE THE VEGAS SHOW.

Here is a little out of context question. Your brother Richard was a winner of Big Brother Africa 2, and if am not mistaken, you flew to SA to be with him and your family on the day of the finale. How was the experience like and where is he now?

The experience was so exciting. I’ve never been in a compettion and won. While yes, it was’nt me in the actual game but It felt like it was my victory because I hustled and campaigned for him a lot. Since I’m the oldest sister, I felt obligated to clear up rumors people were making up about him and my family. I had to explain and clear up issues that only I knew as his sister. And when he won, MAN! I WAS SO HAPPY THAT DAY ROSE!!!! For now I don’t know where he is. I have had no contact with him in the past 3 years though I know his okay where ever he is.

Since you are in fashion business one will assume that you have your own personal style. Tell us what are the 3 things you can't leave without in your bag. And where do you shop for your own personal wardrobe?

Yes Rose, I do have my own personal style that consists of huge glamorous dresses, high heels, purses, blazers, shirts and awesome jeans. I enjoy shopping from Dillards, Nordstorms ,Lord & Tailor and online shopping. But the 3 things I can't leave home without in my bag are tasbih, checkbooks and business cards.

As a wife and a mother of three, how do you manage to run the business, take care of the home and still remain looking fabulous?

I have 2 part time employee’s that handle my stores. When I need to attend the gym I do group fitness classes, the sauna, steamroom, and sometimes swimming. I love to exercise and to also cook food for my family and my society on particular events. I LOVE TO COOK. I also prefer being close to my husband and kids. I am a family woman.

Any last words for fashionjunkii readers?

Success comes from the backbone not the wishbone. Do your best in everything you do and than leave it in God’s (Allahs) hands.

I want to thank  Linda for  taking her time to interview with Fashionjunkii.  If  you are a guy and love to look sharp this is the woman to know. Ladies let you boyfriends, husbands and brothers know about Milano and Casanova Menswear. To get more information about Casanova and Milano  please don't forget to visit the sites

Casanova Menswear: www.casanovamenswear.com

Milano Menswear: www.milanovita.com

or call # +770 414 5300.