Denise Hajjar is not afraid to challenge women with her clothing line. “All women hate their arms; I make them realize their arms are not that bad,’’ she says.
(Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff)
G FORCE | DENISE HAJJAR
Taking women to the edge
Denise Hajjar is not afraid to challenge women with her clothing line. “All women hate their arms; I make them realize their arms are not that bad,’’ she says.
(Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff)
Denise Hajjar has been designing women’s clothing in Boston for 30 years; her hallmark is “modern classic with a twist.’’ The designer-in-residence at the Fairmont Copley Plaza also likes to say her designs take women “to the edge, but not over.’’ Tonight, in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, Hajjar will take women a little closer to the edge. She hosts a free fashion show from 6 to 8 p.m. at the hotel’s Oak Bar highlighting the most romantic pieces in her collection. Red leather bustier anyone?
Q. What’s hot in your show for Valentine’s Day?
A. I’m showing reversible silk charmeuse bathrobes. Charmeuse is my favorite word in the dictionary. I have a beautiful silk satin red trenchcoat. And I have a beaded mesh halter gown that Vanna White wore on Wheel of Fortune.
Q. What size is she?
A. A six top but definitely a four bottom. We hate! . . . With two kids! She makes up for it with her niceness.
Q. What does it mean to be a designer in residence for a hotel? Do people run in with design emergencies?
A. I’ve had that. Men who have to give speeches and bust a button. Women who lose their luggage and need something for that night. And a lot of bridal emergencies.
Q. What’s a bridal emergency?
A. I’ve had a mother of the bride put her heel right through her gown right before the service. I had a bride whose zipper broke. Or their trains break. I had one bridesmaid who for some reason forgot her dress. The bride wasn’t even talking to her.
Q. Speaking of weddings, why are mother-of-the bride dresses still so ugly, with beads and long sleeves?
A. [Designers] don’t want to put any effort into them. I see them in magazines and I say, “This is not fair.’’ These women are sassy women; they don’t want to look like their mothers. I’ve done strapless gowns for them. Or sleeveless. All women hate their arms; I don’t care if they’re two or 22. I make them realize their arms are not that bad.
Q. What’s your policy on beads?
A. I like them very subtle. I’m not about the whole thing being beaded. Then you can’t wear the dress again.
Q. What client do you have in mind when you’re designing?
A. She’s maybe in her mid-to-late 40s. A good size 12, not by any means skinny. And she has a young spirit.
Q. Describe your personal sense of style.
A. I’m a size 12, I have a full chest, and I’m OK with showing my arms and my chest. I only wear stiletto heels unless I’m working. I love makeup. I love fabulous makeup; I’m not quiet about makeup. I’m not quiet about the jewelry I wear. I want to have a presence.
Q. Do you wear anyone else’s clothes?
A. I’ve only worn my own clothes for 30 years. I love my clothing.
Interview was condensed and edited.
© Copyright 2010 Globe Newspaper Company.
