Nahant fashion show to raise money for education programs

NAHANT – It’s a show involving high fashion and the country club, but the Catholic Charities’ Fashion Forward for Education fashion show is focusing not just on the “ladies-who-lunch” set, but on raising money for young women who are seeking a high school diploma.”It’s a wonderful pairing for those who want to enjoy a ladies night out but also for doing something they want to support,” said Catholic Charities North Development Coordinator Sarah Bartley. “It raises funds specifically for education programs and provides a way for women on the North Shore who want to make investments for students.”The event will be held Thursday night at the Nahant Country Club and includes a runway show featuring Boston award-winning designer Denise Hajjan, who is the designer-in-residence at the Fairmont-Copley Hotel. Hajjan offers women’s professional and evening wear that Bartley describes as “very beautiful and wearable,” and event attendees will have an opportunity to purchase the clothes they see on the catwalk.Hajjar has received awards and accolades for her classic tailoring and styles that appeal to Boston women.”She’s outfitted governor’s wives, dresses a lot of local newscasters, and if you’re doing a special event, she’s the go-to person,” said Jim Hannon, director of the School of Fashion Design in Boston.He added that the school counts Hajjan as one of its most successful alumna.”It’s not going to be like a fashion show where you could never wear anything that appears on the runway,” Bartley said. “Hajjar is a quintessential, well-loved Boston designer, and her clothes appeal to a wide group of people and women of many different ages and sizes.”Hajjar said that the event was an opportunity for her to contribute her skills in fashion and interest in helping women and children. “I just like helping children’s and women’s causes,” she said. “I do it because I love to do it.”But most importantly, a portion of proceeds from the sale, as well as the money raised by the event, will benefit the Catholic Charities North’s Education Center.Education Center Program Director Fran Troutman said the center serves approximately 100 students annually through its GED programs, as well as about 50 students in the English for Speakers of Other Languages.The center offers three programs in Lynn and Salem, and includes career-development training and helps students prepare for the Massachusetts GED test, which is accepted by many colleges and businesses as an equivalent to a high school diploma.Youthworks offers individualized classroom instruction for students ages 16 to 21. The Education and Parenting Skills Center offers life-skills development and GED preparation for young parents ages 16 to 21. Both are full-time day programs. Teenstart offers evening classes for young adults ages 16 to 24.”I like it, I really do,” said parenting-program student Maricris Angomas. “Teachers really work with me until I feel ready to go and take the test, which is really good for me. There’s no timeline.”After modeling some of the jewelry to be offered in a silent auction at the event, student Angely Rosa said it provided the perfect connection between the event and the Education Center.Rosa said that her first goal is to take the GED test in July. Why?”I want to study fashion,” she said.