NASHUA – Extravagance, style and pizzazz are words one should expect to hear during the fourth annual New Hampshire Fashion Week shows.

These events will take place at 7 p.m. today at the Holiday Inn Nashua, 9 Northeastern Blvd.; and at 4 p.m. Sunday in the same location.

Fashion Week will feature more than 85 models wearing the designs of 15 fashion creators from around the country. With plenty of festivities planned, not limited to the runway, the shows will also feature musical performances, awards, and appearances by professional athletes.

With help from the community, including Fancy Nancys’ Elite Hair Designers, which during the course of the event will send 10 hair stylists to participate, Fashion Week Director Cynthia Hudson said it has grown during the four years.

“Four years ago, people laughed at the idea of Fashion Week, but we’ve shown people there is fashion in New Hampshire. There’s boutiques and designers throughout New Hampshire,” Hudson said.

Hudson said she hopes the community will continue to support the industry and the events to celebrate it.

“It takes a lot to bring this to New Hampshire. We want people to support it to keep it going,” she said. After the show today, there will be a VIP party with food, wine and bags.

Sunday, the fun and style will continue, featuring the designs of five more designers as well as dance performances by the New England Bobcats’ dancers who will be appearing alongside the Massachusetts-based Arena football team’s professional athletes. The music and dancing will not stop with the Bobcats, as Hudson said there will also be other performers singing.

During the festivities, New Hampshire Fashion Week will be honoring three icons of the industry – Denise Hajjar, David Joseph and Yolanda Cellucci – with lifetime achievement awards. Hudson said their commitment to the industry warrants recognition.

“These designers, they have been around since the 60s, and they’re still going,” Hudson said. “That’s impressive.”

Fashion Week also has benefits that extend to the community. Hudson said every year, organizers donate to a local charity. She said this year will be no different.

“One year, we did a fundraiser for End 68 Hours of Hunger,” Hudson said, “and we filled a room full of food for the nonprofit.”

Newsletter