Peabody seniors strut in the name of fashion

PEABODY – The scene at Woodbridge Assisted Living on Monday afternoon bore a slight resemblance to an episode of the hit reality show America’s Next Top Model.However, instead of Tyra Banks running the show, it was Rosalie DeAngelis, owner of Angelena and Joseph’s Boutique in Middleton. And, instead of 20-somethings vying for a modeling contract, there were six female Woodbridge residents basking in the spotlight.The show began promptly at 2 p.m., as fashion never waits. One by one, the models stepped out onto the catwalk, showcasing the many collections found at the new boutique. Some looked like naturals opening their jackets to reveal sweaters underneath and posing for photographers.”This is not your traditional fashion show,” said DeAngelis to the audience of about 60 family members, residents, and staff. “This is a celebration of a lifetime of beauty.”Named after her mother and father, the boutique caters to “true baby boomers,” unlike mainstream fashion, said DeAngelis.The idea to start her own clothing store came when she was laid off from her job as an acquisition accountant.”I couldn’t find clothes that fit my changing body,” said the proud baby boomer. After friends also complained of having a difficult time, she decided to do something about it.Her goal was to create a store where older women could find clothing that was breathable, comfortable, and easy to care for, but most importantly, fashionable.”I’ve always been an executive and had to dress professionally,” said DeAngelis. “But I hated the look of a suit everyday. I knew what I wanted and knew what I needed.”She did some research and came across designers who created collections from all natural fibers, like cotton, silk, hemp, and linen, as well as supported the fair trade pledge. DeAngelis said she works to support female artisans from Third World countries by selling their jewelry in her store.The fashion show came into the mix when DeAngelis met with Woodbridge Marketing Director Marta Sturm at the Peabody Chamber of Commerce. DeAngelis thought it would be something fun for the seniors to take part in.”The best part of the whole thing was watching the women walking around (the boutique),” said DeAngelis. “They were like children in a candy store.”Items featured in the fashion show included jewelry made by Kenyan women and clothing by Israeli designer Roni Rabl. Each item may have cost anywhere from $38 to $178, but the looks on the models’ faces were priceless.”I was never a model before,” said 88-year-old Alta Frohman, model number six in the lineup. “They told me I should do it, so I said ‘ok.’ It was real fun.”Frohman, who only stood about 4 foot 10 inches, said she knew how to work the runway by watching other models on television.Program Director Debbie Salamone said that things couldn’t have gone any better.”The residents were really great and really excited,” she said. “This was something fun and different for them to do. It couldn’t have gone bad.”Sturm agreed.”It was great because it got more people out,” she said. “Just because they’re older doesn’t mean they’re not interested in fashion.”Salamone said that the models will have another shot at the runway closer to the summer to featuring a new line of clothing.