Donae Cangelosi Chramosta, affectionately known as “The Vintage Contessa,” is a Houston-based philanthropist and businesswoman with a deep passion for fashion, creativity, and vintage luxury. After dedicating 22 years to her family’s marble business, where she served as President, Donae ventured into the world of luxury goods in 2011 by founding her own brand, “The Vintage Contessa.” Her entrepreneurial spirit soon led her to merge her brand with her husband Rob’s business, forming Vintage Contessa & Times Past, a company renowned for offering timeless, authentic luxury items to clients around the globe.
With her vivacious personality and a heart for philanthropy, Donae’s influence extends well beyond the world of business. She is a Houston Business Journal award-winning professional who has served on multiple boards, using her platforms to inspire others to live their best lives while giving back to their communities. Donae’s accolades are numerous, including being named a Woman of Distinction, Woman of Substance, Houston’s Most Creative, Houston’s Most Stylish, Aggie 100, and a podcaster, public speaker, children’s book author, and style setter. She is deeply passionate about connecting with people who live authentically and champion meaningful causes, using her unique talent for “friend-raising” to unite creative individuals for conversations that inspire positive change.
In addition to being a respected international wholesaler and retailer of luxury goods, Donae and her husband Rob engage with their audience daily on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, sharing their journey and answering the question, “How do you know it’s real?”
At her core, Donae is dedicated to her family. As a proud mother to her 17-year-old daughter Bella and loving wife to her business partner Rob, she remains committed to supporting her loved ones while pursuing her purpose with passion, joy, and an unwavering sense of authenticity.