.jpg)
Boston born and raised, Denise Hajjar inherited her design interest and talent from her grandmother who was also a designer in Damascus, Syria. Her grandfather also in the industry, was a pattern maker and owned a dress factory from Beirut, Lebanon. Denise decided after graduating from The School of Fashion Design, would stay close to her roots and start a business in Boston. With over 35 years in her own design business, Denise has established herself as a top designer. Hajjar having sold her creations nationally to department stores, specialty boutiques and individual clients worldwide.
In March of 2006, Denise was asked by the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, to open a retail boutique and be their “Designer-in- Residence”. In Sept of 2007, noted photographer, Boston Globe’s Bill Brett, included Denise in his 2nd book, along with other Boston notables; “Boston - an extended family”. In Dec of 2007, Denise was asked to be one of the speakers at “The Mass Conference of Woman” where over 5,000 women attended the all-day conference. In Dec of 2009 five of Denise’s gowns were worn by Vanna White from “The Wheel of Fortune”. In May of 2013, Denise moved her retail boutique and work-space to the beautiful waterfront and now is the “Designer-in-Residence” at the luxurious InterContinental – Boston.
Furthermore, Denise has designed costumes for many celebrities; television, theatre, commercials and movies, such as “Johnny Slades Greatest Hits”, starring John Fiori of the Sopranos. Also “Undercurrant” starring Lorenzo Lamas and Brenda Strong (who currently is the voice of Mary Alice Young on the television show “Desperate Housewives”. The uniforms for the “Boston Children’s Chorus” are stitched each season by Hajjar. She has received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Fashion, Vision Leader Award, Exceptional Women Award, The Distinguished Alumni Award and Rising Star of the Year Award, to name a few.
Articles about Denise and her designs are continually reviewed in magazines, newspapers and television. Her clothes are worn by celebrities, politicians, news anchors all attending prestigious events and award programs such as the Tonys, Emmys and Oscars.
Denise’s philosophy, “Giving back should be the rule, not the exception.” are not just words to her. Local charities Hajjar has been involved with are; American Heart Association’s, Go Red for Women in Boston, The ALS Association - Eleanor’s Affair, Dress for Success – Boston, “Big Sister Association of Greater Boston”, Catholic Charities, Boston Medical – Cancer Cares Cat Walk.
Denise is also the creator and founder of the “Big Dreams Start Small” event to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She fervently supports the research, treatment and commitment of the medical teams at the hospital, knowing that St. Jude is a “beacon of light in a parent’s darkest night.”
She has always believed by bringing fashion and celebrities together would entertain people as well as raise money for the hospital. In 10 years of Big Dreams Start Small, this event raised over two million dollars for St. Jude, resulting in Denise and her dedicated planning committee being the recipients of the “St. Jude Volunteer Group of the Year Award.”
After graduating from The School of Fashion Design, Denise decided to stay close to her roots and start her business in Boston. Now in her 30th year, Denise has established herself as a top designer, having sold her designs nationally to department stores, specialty boutiques and clients worldwide. She is very proud that all her clothes are cut and sewn in Massachusetts.
In March of 2006, Denise was asked by the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel to be their "Designer-in- Residence". Opening her retail boutique was an opportunity to sell her designs to customers from all over the world.
As of May 2013 Denise opened her new larger boutique at the Inter-Continental Hotel & Luxury Residences on Boston’s waterfront. With nearly 1,000 square feet of store front retail space, the boutique will allow the designer to showcase her exclusive made in the USA modern classic looks of day-wear, evening-wear, accessories, and her latest fashion brand extension... menswear.
This new boutique enables Denise to have her retail and design studio at the same location allowing her to expand her services to include onsite one-of-a kind custom designs, expert tailoring and couture alterations for men and women. Hajjar also has partnered with an Eco-Friendly dry cleaning company to provide the neighborhood residents and commuters with convenient drop off / pick up service 5 days a week.
Denise has designed costumes for television, theater, commercials and movies. Her clothes have been worn by celebrities, news anchors, and politicians while attending prestigious events and award programs such as the Tonys, Emmys and Oscars.
Denise has received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Fashion, including The Vision Leader Award, Exceptional Women Award, The Distinguished Alumni Award and Rising Star of the Year Award.
Locally, she has been involved with Dress for Success – Boston, The Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, Catholic Charities, The ALS Association-Eleanor’s Affair, NE Home for Little Wanderers and countless other charitable organizations.
Denise is also the creator and founder of the “Big Dreams Start Small” event to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She fervently supports the research, treatment and commitment of the medical teams at the hospital, knowing that St. Jude is a “beacon of light in a parent’s darkest night.” Denise lives by her philosophy: “Giving back should be the rule, not the exception.”