The Legacy of Rosa Belleville

Madame Pirie has been around for 75 years thanks to our fabulous customers and community. Last week I wrote about the amazing women who have helped keep the store strong all these years, this week we wanted to honor our current owner Rosa Belleville! Rosa has been working in Madame Pirie for almost 50 years, 48 to be exact, and is the strongest latch in keeping the women’s bra boutique in business. She has helped thousands of women and teens get ready for prom and weddings, find comfy lounge wear and of course find the perfect fitting bra.

But Rosa’s story doesn’t start with women’s clothing; it starts in her home country of Italy.

Rosa was born in the Southern Italian region of Calabria, pictured above, and came to Albany, New York in 1956 with her parents and seven brothers and sisters. She attended St. Anthony Grammar School, a private Catholic facility until 8^th grade, and then attended Cardinal McCloskey High School where she graduated.

Although Rosa’s first career was with the Board of Education she quickly transitioned into helping women feel beautiful by becoming a hair stylist. She practiced hair for 10 years before her mother Clementina Mesiti asked her to help out at the shop. Clementina worked for our founder Pearl Spitzer as a seamstress before she bought the store in 1970. You can read more about Clementina’s story in our last blog.      

Since 1970 Rosa has worked as the store’s manager. “Everything I learned, I learned from my mom,” says Rosa who brings that knowledge to every employee who comes through the store. All staff at Madame Pirie go through extensive training to learn the brands and sizing of every bra to make sure every woman feels confident and comfortable.  

Rosa has also been doing mastectomy fittings for breast cancer survivors for 40 years. She was one of the first people in the Capital Region to do surgical fittings. Rosa has extensive knowledge and care when it comes to helping cancer survivors find prosthetics, surgical bras and camisoles and other items to help survivors feel comfortable and beautiful again.    

Rosa is also a proud mother and grandmother. She has two sons and two grandsons and lives with her husband of 53 years, Bill.

Rosa’s legacy has greatly touched the Capital Region community and beyond. She has helped the store survive many ups and downs. Madame Pirie has customers who have been around for decades and each one of them knows Rosa. Rosa continues to manage the store with the help of other staff and will continue to be a part of the shop as she transitions into retirement.