Budding Fashion Entrepreneur, Ward Melville Alumna, Opens Dress Shop

With a passion for fashion and business skills to boot, Diona Amen is the owner of a new boutique in Commack that will celebrate its grand opening starting Feb. 16.

Amen, who graduated from Ward Melville High School in 2006, is no newbie to the fashion world. The businesswoman said she got an introduction to the industry while in high school, working part-time at David’s Bridal. By the time she graduated from Fashion Institute of Technology in 2010, she said she was ready to take her passion to the next level. After college, she said she began working with a wholesale fashion company. It was there that she got the idea to start an online dress shop, DressGala.com.

The budding business owner utilized her designer contacts from her wholesale job to bring inventory into the shop. Within two years, the website proved to be a successful operation. Having gained an online following, Amen was ready to open Dress Gala’s first store, located at 1143 Jericho Turnpike, within the Northgate Shopping Center.

The store will celebrate a grand opening week starting this Saturday.

“What I’m most excited about is the customer service. I like to talk to people in person. You build a personal relationship with the customer. It’s a nice feeling,” she said. 

The store features dresses for every occasion, but as prom season approaches, the shop is filled with the latest trends for teens, including fashions from designers such as Jovani, Alyce, Lara Designs, Tony Bowls, Mignon and others.