How do you give someone self-confidence? Why do some children seem to have an abundance of it while others struggle with it well into adulthood? At what point do adolescent girls need more than just the kind words of their parents to help combat what the “real world” dumps on them on a daily basis? It was the love of my own two daughters and the absolute passion I felt for answering these questions that were the driving force behind establishing the Fashion Focus Modeling & Finishing Program in September of 2000.

With a degree in fashion merchandising from Johnson & Wales University, the knowledge gained from being a professional model for over 25 years and the experience of raising my own three children, I felt prepared to share with other young women my personal philosophies regarding the attainment and maintenance of self-esteem and how essential it is to gaining self-confidence. As the parent testimonials and the Boston Globe article illustrate, the program has made a difference.

The Fashion Focus curriculum is based on a very simple philosophy: it is the process of learning what makes you uniquely beautiful on the inside and out along with your own acceptance and approval of the results that are fundamental elements of self-esteem. Certain classes deal primarily with outer beauty (skin care, make-up techniques, hair care) and other’s focus on inner beauty (poise, posture and confidence, personality). It is the combination of both that makes the program as successful as it has been. I am most proud of our semi-annual Graduation Fashion Shows. A portion of the proceeds from these shows is donated to charity. The idea being that giving of yourself is yet another way to discovering your inner-beauty.

Passion is a word I used to describe the inception of Fashion Focus. And passion is what still drives me today. I feel fortunate to be involved in something that I truly care about and I look forward to the continuation this journey and the possibilities that lie ahead!

Sincerely yours,

Maria Wood