I Love My Job: 'Tailoring by Marco' Team Shares Passion for the Right Fit

Tailoring by Marco was launched by JoAnn Pravata and Marco Rua in June of 2010. Their story will be featured tonight at 7 p.m. on 'This Week in Berkeley Heights' on the Berkeley Heights Community News cable channel Comcast 34/Fios 47. 

Marco Rua has over 40 years experience in tailoring and his wife JoAnn Pravata has over 30 years experience in small business management in the clothing and home design industries.  

We spoke with two members of the Tailoring by Marco staff, seamstresses Guilianna Faraguna and Maria Gallo about why they love what they do.

Guilianna Faraguna

When she first learned to sew at the age of 16 in Trieste, Italy, Guilianna Farguna did not imagine that some day she would be sewing garments for such fashion icons as Jacqueline Kennedy.

But it was her rigorous training and meticulous approach to sewing that prompted her first supervisor to pluck her out of mass production in the garment district in New York City, and place her in a small boutique with clients who would appreciate her dedication to perfection.

Born in a small town near Venice, Italy, Faraguna's mother insisted that she learn how to sew, though she admits that at first, she wasn’t thrilled about it, but quickly began to enjoy the experience and soon made her first garment on her own – a jumper for her grandmother.

Years later, when she came to America in 1958, Faraguna lived with her in-laws in New York City and went to work in a garment factory.

 “I didn’t know how to use a sewing machine, so they put me to work sewing by hand. But the lady who ran the shop was yelling at me all the time,” said Farguna.   

At first, she thought that her supervisor was yelling at her was because she wasn’t doing a good job. Actually it was the contrary. A co-worker told her that the supervisor was upset because Faraguna was too methodical and too meticulous, and that was not what they were looking for in the factory.

Faraguna said, “She would be yelling – just two holes, not four holes!”

She recalls that her supervisor then suggested that she work at Rosina & Angela, a custom clothing shop located on 5th Avenue and 38th Street where she would sew original designs for the rich and famous, including the First Lady of the United States and of fashion, Jackie Kennedy.

Years later, she put her career on pause to raise her children, and returned to work in 1973 at Sak’s Fifth Avenue which was first located in Millburn, and later moved to the Mall at Short Hills.

“I love making the customer smile,” said Faraguna. “When a customer comes into the shop and they are upset with a garment and not sure we can make it fit just right, I love when I can turn that around and you can see a look of surprise and happiness on their face.”

Faraguna said, “I love what I do. I love to socialize with the customers and meet the challenges that they present.”

Maria Gallo

Born in a small town near Naples, Italy, Maria Gallo was ten years old when her mother made arrangements with a dressmaker on her street to teach her daughter to sew.

Gallo recalls having to clean the dressmaker’s home in exchange for lessons.

She also recalls the first garment she ever made by herself when she was 13 years old. It was a blue and white polka dot dress for her mother that was suitable to wear on Sunday.

Gallo has not only traveled a long way from sunny Italy to Berkeley Heights, NJ, she has far exceeded her wildest dreams and the creation of her youth.

Gallo married and raised three children in Italy and later took up residence in Union New Jersey – meeting up with her parents who had moved to the states first.

Initially she worked as a seamstress in a coat factory in West Orange and later in a Dry Cleaning company for three years.

In 1990, she opened her own tailoring business in Millburn which she ran for 24 years.

“I love a challenge,” said Gallo. “The more complicated it is, the more it keeps my mind busy.”

Gallo admits that each article of clothing she works on, presents its own unique challenge. 

“I enjoy working on all kinds of garments, everything from men’s suits to dresses. I enjoy all of it,” said Gallo.  

She said she loves her work at Tailoring by Marco because of the variety of garments she works on and the warm, family atmosphere in the shop.

She said, “What is most satisfying is seeing someone enjoying the feel and fit of their newly garment and the happy look on their face.”

“Our customers know they can trust us to do a good job,” said Gallo. “And because we operate like a family, they feel a sense of warmth and hospitality as soon as they walk into the shop.” 

***

For more information about Tailoring by Marco, visit the Web site at: http://www.tailoringbymarco.com 

Download the movie