Manny Mashouf:

Founder & Chairman BEBE

Manny & Neda Mushouf BEBE

Manny Mashouf, who earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1966, started his career as a manager for rock impresario Bill Graham. His stay in the music business was short as he moved to women's apparel.

He opened the first bebe boutique on Polk Street in 1976. Now with 178 shops in the United States and Canada, bebe is a cutting-edge retailer and its apparel is featured on "The Practice" among other television shows.

Mashouf also serves on the College of Business's Advisory Council.

San Francisco State University has received the largest private individual gift pledge in its history: a $10 million donation from alumnus Manny Mashouf, founder and chairman of bebe stores inc., and his wife Neda, who also is an SF State alum. The gift, announced today by SFSU President Robert A. Corrigan at the University's Commencement ceremony, will go toward a new performing and electronic media arts building for the SFSU College of Creative Arts.

bebe designs, develops and produces a distinctive line of contemporary women's apparel and accessories, which it markets under the bebe, BEBE SPORT and bebe O brand names. Current Chairman and Founder Manny Mashouf founded bebe as a San Francisco boutique in 1976, a time when three categories dominated the women's wear market: junior, bridge and missy. Having discovered a demographic that was neither junior nor bridge, Manny aimed to break the mold by offering this under represented population of stylish women distinctive and inspirational fashion bearing an unmistakable hint of sensuality. His concept stuck and bebe reaped early success.

bebe's influence on fashion continued to thrive when the company debuted a private collection - featuring two originally designed, impeccably made suits - in 1989. Business boomed even more in 1995 when bebe opened 24 new stores across the country.

bebe currently operates 204 stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico as well as an online store at www.bebe.com. We have also introduced licensed bebe stores in Greece, Israel, Thailand and Singapore.