Diego's Hair Salon
Diego's Hair Salon is a hairdressing shop located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C., USA. Founded in the 1960s by Italian American Diego D'Ambrosio, the salon has become a neighborhood institution frequented by politicians, religious leaders, diplomats, and Supreme Court Justices. In recognition of D'Ambrosio's contribution to the local business community, a neighborhood street was renamed in his honor. The founder of the salon, Diego D'Ambriosio, has been awarded the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity
History
Two years after D'Ambrosio emigrated from Italy to the United States in 1961, he began working in his first hair salon.[1] D'Ambrosio opened his own shop, Diego's Hair Salon, in 1965.[2] Around 1980, he moved his business to its current location, The Moorings, a nautical-themed, former apartment building located at 1901 Q Street, N.W., in Dupont Circle.[1][3] When he moved, D'Ambrosio raised the price of men's haircuts to $20, the same rate he charges today.[1] Rupert Cornwell of The Independent described Diego's as a "modest and friendly establishment and the photos on its walls capture Washington: unglamorous but beautiful, exuding power yet oddly homey, with history around every corner and great men's shadows on every wall."[4]
D'Ambrosio's honors
In 2009, D'Ambrosio was awarded the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity at the Italian Embassy. The ceremony was in recognition of D'Ambrosio's promoting his Italian heritage.[1] On April 23, 2010, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty joined other local government officials in designating the 1900 block of Q Street, N.W., as Diego D’Ambrosio Way (an alternative street name). The Diego D'Ambrosio Way Designation Act of 2010 "officially recognizes Diego's contributions to District of Columbia residents and the city’s business community."[2]
Famous clientele
Diego's clientele has included Supreme Court Justices Warren E. Burger and William Rehnquist, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former British Prime Minister John Major, Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl, Apostolic Nuncio Pietro Sambi, former Italian ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, Mayor Adrian Fenty, and members of the D.C. Council.[1][5] According to D'Ambrosio, 75 ambassadors, 17 presidents and prime ministers, and other officials representing a total of 135 countries have used his services.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e Goodman, Christy (April 24, 2010). "For hairstylist to the powerful, a place of honor". The Washington Post. p. B01. Archived from the original on June 30, 2010.
- ^ a b "Fenty Administration Dedicates 'Diego D'Ambrosio Way'". District of Columbia: Mayor's Office. April 23, 2010. Archived from the original on June 30, 2010.
- ^ Williams, Paul Kelsey (January 2010). "Scenes from the Past". The InTowner. 41 (7): 8. ISSN 0087-9400. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 30, 2010.
{{cite journal}}: Check|issn=value (help) - ^ Cornwell, Rupert (November 16, 2003). "Heroes, hookers and Hillary. It's a DC thing". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 30, 2010.
- ^ a b Roth, Zachary (October 1, 2005). "The Italian Job: Where Washington Insiders Get Their Hair Cut". The Washington Monthly. TheFreeLibrary.com. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
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