Dressing generations
Maria Da Ros opened the first incarnation of her women’s fashion retail store in Horsham 50 years ago.
Just prior to Christmas, Mrs Da Ross and daughter Lydia Rissman celebrated Maria Da Ros Fashions’ five-decade anniversary – a business achievement Mrs Rissman said the business owed to its clientele, the Horsham community and her family.
Maria Da Ros Fashions opened at its first address, 41 Roberts Avenue, in 1972 before the family moved the shop to its current location at 52 Roberts Avenue in 1986 – a business address already owned by the Da Ros family.
Mrs Rissman said she joined her mother in business, and to open the shop at it its current Roberts Avenue address, when she left school at age 15.
Since 2007 and her mother’s working retirement, Mrs Rissman has run the business alongside her loyal coworkers, who she attributes much of the business’ success.
“Our staff keep this place an enjoyable place for me to work, as do our customers — customers who have become more like friends across the years,” she said.
“They all become family and after 50 years, I find the community continue to look after us.
“Our customers know about my family and my friends, and when they come in for a chat, they might pick up something from us to buy that they like.”
Maria Da Ros said the shop’s ‘wonderful’ clients had always kept her family busy.
She ‘occasionally’ pops into the shop to say hello, but she said these days, Lydia ran the show.
“I don’t interfere, and I think that is probably why it works,” she said.
Mrs Rissman said during her years in business, and her assessment of revolving fashion trends, fashion was continually coming ‘full circle’.
“Something that was very popular was the padded shoulder era and I remember that one the most. That is one trend that I feel might be returning,” she said.
“But at the end of the day, nothing has really changed — it is all just fashion, and it will always come and go.”
She said while it was never her intention to maintain a career in the fashion industry, she had never woken up and not wanted to go to work.
“In the beginning I wanted to be a lawyer or an air hostess perhaps. But being Italian, it was always tradition
that the oldest child would end up in the shop with Mum. I have never considered the business as work, but rather, part of my life. In fact, this business has been my life,” Mrs Rissman said.
“My little sister and my three children
were all raised in this shop and now I even have my grandchildren with me here sometimes.
“Hopefully I can keep working here for as long as my legs will allow me.
“I enjoy it – I really do.”