Coming from a family long involved in the fashion industry, Gloria D’Angelo Ingrao felt a strong desire to keep the legacy alive. Her grandfather was the first to join the world of fashion, when a men’s coat he designed won a competition in Paris in the late 1800s. Her father then took up the trade, opening a suits and coats company, D’Angelo’s, in the early 1900s. Ms. Ingrao joined her father’s business as an administrator in 1975 and fell in love with the work. She had been brought up to be creative, so fashion was a perfect fit. She advanced to become the president of D’Angelo’s Originals Ltd. in 1978. Then, in 1981, Ms. Ingrao decided to branch out. She opened her own business, Ingrao, Inc., and transformed her father’s company into D’Angelo Couture, Inc. Although she remains involved with the former as the vice president, secretary, and treasurer, she retired from the latter in 2014.
As a testament to her hard work and dedication, Ms. Ingrao was featured in “Get It Made New York” by AFINGO in 2011 and “Unsung Fashion Heroes” by Prabal Gurung in 2010. She was also honored with inclusion in Who’s Who of American Women. Despite all of her accolades, however, Ms. Ingrao feels that the best part of her career was getting to meet so many people around the world. She also loved seeing the results of her various productions. It was very rewarding.
Ms. Ingrao prepared for her endeavors by earning a Bachelor of Science in commerce, with honors, from the College of Mount St. Vincent in 1950 and a Master of Education from New York University in 1968. She then joined the American Cloak & Suit Manufacturers Association to help her stay connected to her peers. Ms. Ingrao attributes her success in academia to her parents. They were very passionate about her and her siblings getting a good education.
In her spare time, Ms. Ingrao enjoys cooking, sewing, tai chi, traveling, golf, and opera. She is also active in civic organizations like Ladies of Charity, the College of Mount St. Vincent Alumnae Association, the National Organization of Italian-American Women, and the Columbiettes. Further, she has been involved with the Chester Heights Ladies Civic Organization, St. Catharine’s Church, the Sound Shore Vicariate of Roman Catholic Churches, the American Red Cross, and the March of Dimes Annual Fundraiser.
