Trends / Style

Breaking fashion rules to make it right

Breaking fashion rules to make it right, dress out of the box and get some style... For this week’s reprise in honor of the 15th anniversary year of FocusOnStyle.com online, and along with the very welcome return of spring, let’s take a look at some timeless style advice about breaking out of the mold from 2005. From tights with sandals to matchy-matchy looks, here's what you should be trying, no matter what they say! –S.H. Top trends for most season's compose of breaking historic fashion rules to move forward with fabulous style Dear Sharon: My co-worker and I always go head-to-head about what to wear with what. She's of the type who believes that there are certain fashion rules that must be followed

Read More »

Michelle Obama Style: Today’s power dressing muse…

This week's 15th Anniversary of FocusOnStyle online, looks back at the First Lady's timeless and classic chic as an example of modern power dressing. -S.H. Michelle Obama Style: Today's power dressing muse. Everyday style for clean, corporate chic. Everyday style for clean, corporate chic Dear Sharon:As a corporate executive in a slightly conservative firm, I am always afraid to take fashion risks, yet I still want to look stylish. I usually dress in suits that are starting to bore me. I want to expand my business dress options but not appear as if I am more interested in my clothing than my client's portfolio. I am aware that it is a tough nut to crack, but I am ready to expand

Read More »

How Much to Retouch Without Going to the Extreme

Is what you see what really is? Probably not. Smash, crumble, pop... sorry to break the illusion of perceived perfection but you gotta know, what you gotta know. Photos in magazines and ads get retouched-- we know that. Every time a celebrity photo gets overdone, the blogosphere goes mad with Photoshop rage. And rightly so. But a little helpful "cleaning up" only enhances the image. Master retoucher and former Ford model Sharon Daniels unveils what really is behind the photo that you see and why. --S.H.

Read More »

Fashion Downsizing with Six Items or Less is the Antidote to Haul Videos

When less really is more, the new anti-consumerism site can spark fashion creativity I have to admit that I find the shopping haul video trend rather disquieting. Even though I am in fashion business and have overstuffed closets, its jarring for me to watch a video of someone sitting in front of her computer and gushing over her latest shopaholic purchase of the day, whether it be a glossy new lipstick or a cute top. In a time of economic restraint for most, it's fascinating to me as to how there are hoards of fashionistas obsessed in the gorging of the latest fast-fashion cheapie trend rather than understanding that style is the amalgamation of the sum of its parts and

Read More »

Countess Luann deLesseps dating and party tips, more Real Housewives NY gossip and summer beauty tips for ladies and metrosexual men

Too many Fourth of July Hamptons parties, too much gossip, beat the heat beauty tips, and too hot men Brad is preparing for the Fourth of July parties in the glam Hamptons and you know that he has some gorgeous dish up his sleeve. Enjoy! -- S.H. <h2Dating tips and party advice from the Countess:Talk about sizzle, it is so hot here in the Hamptons that one steamy Countess is bolting out of town... I just got off the phone with Luann deLesseps who was in the first class lounge at JFK. The Countess is hightailing out of the East End, about to board a plane bound for the super glamorous St. Tropez. I couldn't let her get away without

Read More »

Real Housewives of New Jersey and New York Gossip and Some Ramona Singer Jewelry To Pretty It Up From Brad Boles

Trash and cash to 'Money Can't Buy You Class' and fab fake jewels are all in the life of the Real Housewives Brad is breathless with more gossip and gorgeousness to share. Does he ever take a breather? No, it's not in his genes, but who is in everyone else's jeans? ŚS.H. Summer is officially here and all the Housewives have checked into their Hamptons hideaways. I have two thoughtful words to pass on-- designated driver. The East End of Long Island is truly the land of the very, very privileged but there are police lurking behind every landscaped privet. Bottoms up and safety first! You know that I love to gossip about those Housewives, so let's get some dish

Read More »

Real Housewives of New York Reunion Recap with Jill Zarin, Gossip and Men’s Grooming Tips from Brad Boles

Part 3: Front and center with Jill Zarin as we watch the first installment of the 3-part ôThe Real Housewives of New York Cityö reunion show together at her tony digs in The Hamptons Breathless with Brad Boles, I think I should name his column that as never a dull moment of gossip and beauty with everybody's favorite Gay Husband about town.-- S.H. The twisted lives of öThe Real Housewives of New York City!ö Who's hot and who's not. Who knows if you may or may not be seeing Simon van Kempen's fashion disasters or Alex McCord's new attitude, when filming begins for next season? I'm just saying that there is a line in the sand and nobody is speaking

Read More »

Summer Beauty Tips, Hamptons Gossip, and The Real Housewives of New York City, of course from Brad Boles

Part 2: Lunch with Jill Zarin's ôGay Husbandö serves up some tasty dish... meow! Last week, I promised you more of Brad Boles as he begins his weekly summer column for FocusOnStyle! Beauty tips and gossip, served up, well not straight, but definitely on the rocks from the fast-talking, globe-trekking, glamourella guy himself. Hold tight kiddies, because in the weeks to come, Brad and I will be chatting away with you! ľ S.H. There is something about warm weather and beaches that brings out the sexy in all of us. There's no better ôHousewifeö then the Countess Luann de Lesseps who gave a great radio interview with my very sexy friend Judith Regan of SirusXM. The Countess remained a lady

Read More »

The Real Housewives of New York City Gossip From Brad Boles

Part 1: Lunch with Jill Zarin's ôGay Husbandö serves up some tasty dish... meow! Jill's gay husband Brad gossips about the ladies... do you love it? The catfights and the hugs. The bitchiness and the love. The scandals and the sincerity. Drama and glamour are all in an episode of ôThe Real Housewives of New York City.ö Out of sight but not out of mind for the previous part of Season 3, image impresario and makeup artist Brad Boles, a.k.a. Jill Zarin's ôgay husbandö on the show, shares some of his behind-the-scenes gossip on some of the hottest housewife dirt on TV. You'll see Brad on tonight's blockbuster finale episode of the season and you'll hear more from him as

Read More »

How to Look Chic, Not Cheap. Paris Hilton in a Hot Pink Bikini OR When Paris Isn’t Always Chic

Two blondes, two Chanel classic flap bags, two red carpets, two cities... what in carnation went wrong?! Cardinal Fashion Rule #1: Just because you are wearing expensive things does not mean that you cannot look cheap I am the first to admit that we kinda love Paris Hilton for being the modern day Charo when it comes to hoochie-coochie styleŚ someone needs to be kooky colorful on the red carpet and it may as well be her. But as a fashion plate? Not so much. For all you label queens out there, sorry to report that looking chic is not always in the bag, no matter how luxurious that handbag may be. Marie-Josee Croze in Paris looks stunning and chic

Read More »

Swarovski designer Fashion Week collaborations are just the Red Carpet sparkle that you may want now

Sharon & Brad's Latest Radio Show: The style icons of the 80's Leigh Bowery, Klaus Nomi, Boy George, Annie Lenox, Grace Jones, Club Kids, & their influence over the late great designer Alexander McQueen and fashion as a whole. Gossip, dish, and inside style tips from back in the day to its influence now... On this week's Focus on Style- Talk, hosting duo Sharon Haver & Brad Boles talk about the style icons of the 80's Leigh Bowery, Klaus Nomi, Boy George, Annie Lenox, Grace Jones, Club Kids, and their influence over the late great designer Alexander McQueen and fashion as a whole These provocative visual images were born out of the underground and performance art movements between London, New

Read More »

‘Follow the Model,’ Miss J’s Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power

Booking it: J. Alexander tells it like it is and the boy can talk... I know! Dear Diary: Reading "Follow the Model" by my old friend, assistant stylist / sidekick, former partner in bettering the crimes of fashion is just like sitting around and talking to Alex, ummm Miss J. Well, we've already gone through this,  he has as many names as he has fabulous steps. He is Alex to me as his real name is Alexander Jenkins but others also know him as Jay. Then there is J. Alexander from his modeling days and Miss J to those who know him from Americas Next Top Model. The book will explain... ôFollow the Modelö is a steady stream of consciousness. A long

Read More »

It’s “Kell On Earth,” When Kelly Cutrone Puts the Real in Reality TV

The fashion publicist who takes no prisoners also has some words about the future of the Internet 'This is a hardcore show about hardcore chicks who are running a hardcore agency' ---Kelly Cutrone Being on a press conference call with Kelly Cutrone is a lot like being tossed in the center of a cyclone of information, it's a breathless whirlwind of wisdom, no-nonsense sidebars, on-topic free association, razor sharp quips, and provocative opinion. The call with Cutrone, the straight-talking founder of the fashion public relation's firm People's Revolution, and her two business partners, Robyn Berkley and Emily Bungert was to promote their new fashion reality show 'Kell On Earth,' which premieres on Bravo February 1st. In full disclosure, I haven't

Read More »

Scroll to Top