Photo: Great Aunt Rose Diano and Pop-Pop (my dad Martin Diano)
(more photos below)
I always knew that I came from a long line of dressmakers and patternmakers, jokingly noting that the fashion gene skipped me over. Yet, I never knew until yesterday that it all began with Angelina, my great grandmother – a pioneer business woman in the 1900’s - who started it all by owning her own dress factory in the Bronx. Yesterday, my Great Aunt Rose recounted the romantic story about how the three sons of Angelina including my grandfather Barthelomew, flirted and eventually married three of the women who worked as seamstresses.
Uncle Angelo, the eldest brother, who’s reputation (and from my personal experience) finds him to be the kind of gentleman that is rare today – debonair and tender (and strikingly handsome), came to the factory one day to greet the seamstresses, and discovers a stunning new woman at the machines. As he approaches her, he says “And who is this Beautiful Creature”. Rose, who didn’t speak English at the time, is confused by the attention of Angelo, and repeats to her sister, “What is a Beautiful Creature?” Her sister repeats, "Creatura bella!" and Rose blushes with embarrassment.
A few days later, when Rose has to go across town, Angelo offers her a ride, and a nervous Rose accepts. During that journey, the Diano legacy begins with Angelo asking Rose out for a date. However, Rose is at first reluctant to date her boss’s son, but accepts, and they secretly meet for 3 or 4 dates. She does not want her family (mainly her father) to know. She has already disappointed her father once for not marrying Charlie with the monkey jacket (another story).
Angelo who is smitten with Rose (and vice versa) finally convinces her to disclose to her father that he wants to date her. He can no longer hide his love. Rose seeks out her sister’s support, and at dinner, Rose asks her father’s permission to date Angelo. Being that both families are from Bari, Italy, her father agrees. According to Aunt Rose, that first meeting couldn’t have gone better. Angelo wins over her father immediately. Two weeks later, Angelo meets him again to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Uncle Angelo, the eldest brother, who’s reputation (and from my personal experience) finds him to be the kind of gentleman that is rare today – debonair and tender (and strikingly handsome), came to the factory one day to greet the seamstresses, and discovers a stunning new woman at the machines. As he approaches her, he says “And who is this Beautiful Creature”. Rose, who didn’t speak English at the time, is confused by the attention of Angelo, and repeats to her sister, “What is a Beautiful Creature?” Her sister repeats, "Creatura bella!" and Rose blushes with embarrassment.
A few days later, when Rose has to go across town, Angelo offers her a ride, and a nervous Rose accepts. During that journey, the Diano legacy begins with Angelo asking Rose out for a date. However, Rose is at first reluctant to date her boss’s son, but accepts, and they secretly meet for 3 or 4 dates. She does not want her family (mainly her father) to know. She has already disappointed her father once for not marrying Charlie with the monkey jacket (another story).
Angelo who is smitten with Rose (and vice versa) finally convinces her to disclose to her father that he wants to date her. He can no longer hide his love. Rose seeks out her sister’s support, and at dinner, Rose asks her father’s permission to date Angelo. Being that both families are from Bari, Italy, her father agrees. According to Aunt Rose, that first meeting couldn’t have gone better. Angelo wins over her father immediately. Two weeks later, Angelo meets him again to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
Post Script#1
My grandmother Adele also worked in the dress factory and married my grandfather Bartholemew. Uncle Dominic married Aunt Jeanne.
My grandmother Adele also worked in the dress factory and married my grandfather Bartholemew. Uncle Dominic married Aunt Jeanne.
PostScript #2
My Uncle Angelo and Aunt Rose were married over 50 years and have four children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Yesterday, we visited with Aunt Rose along with two of her sons (my cousins) Martin and Robert and their family. Cousin Robert carries on the fashion gene and is a pattern-maker with a designer of evening wear in NYC. A great story-teller, we gathered around the livingroom to hear Aunt Rose tell us her thoughts on what makes a solid marriage (have respect for each other/you can disagree but don’t argue). Portia, Louis and Dawn (my dear friends) were also in attendance. Coincidently, Portia's family is also from Bari - this i have known and believe we are related in some way! :)
Alan and his Great-Great Aunt Rose
Cousin Robert and his amazing son Matthew
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