Blog - Sharon Haver - FocusOnStyle.com

Banana Republic Clones “the” Kate Middleton Reiss Dress

Adventures in (not very) extremes... Remember the beige "Shola" Reiss dress that Kate Middleton wore to meet Michelle Obama? It's "the" $340 dress that stalled the Reiss server? Well, apparently Banana Republic didn't forget it and came out with their own version aptly named the "Kate Sheath" as imitation is surely the sincerest form of flattery. The BR version sells for $130. The Kate Sheath at Banana Republic SHOP: BEST DRESSESHonestly, Banana Republic is a fantastic resource for go-to modern basics so blatantly "reworking" a dress from Reiss, a very close competitor on the obtainable fashion front does seems strange. At least the dress fit Kate better than those pink pants on Pippa. We know, it's Kate Middleton's dress that they were

Ports 1961 has come a long way since it's humble, arty re-introduction to the high-fashion masses over the past decade and the label's just released new ad campaign featuring a slick Alana Zimmer photographed by Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin with art direction by Giovanni Bianco proves just how far they've come when considering their big league competition. Under Giovanni Bianco's watch, the last few collections and campaigns have successfully captured that elusive, urbane minded cool that the label once seemed so intent on courting. Now they've become ones to watch and kudos to Ports 1961 for that remarkable accomplishment. -Naveed Hussain >>More: Spring 2012 Ad Campaigns

Dries Van Noten While it’s true that menswear has only so much room to change each season, there was still a refreshing assortment of new ideas for Fall 2012 -here’s a look at some top trends that caught our eye in Paris. >>More Mens: Fashion Reviews & Runway Highlights Turtlenecks- Carven SHOP: MEN'S STYLE GUIDE TO EVERYDAY CHIC While the Carven man has always been a tad on the nerdy side i.e pocket protectors, practical winter-ready turtlenecks made a comeback as an alternative to bulky knits under blazers and shirts alike while framing the face in surprisingly vibrant hues on runways of all kinds. Kenzo Head-to-Toe Color- Raf Simons Color of all sorts has been a big story in womenswear

Louis Vuitton Just in time for the current season’s winter chill comes a bevy of inspirational finds from the best men’s shows from Paris for 2012 to take a cue from when looking for fresh outerwear ideas. Consider Louis Vuitton's plush bomber (above) as a luxurious however bold way to combat the winter chill in a sartorially irreverent manner. Dior Homme Exaggerated volume gave this drab olive cape from Dior Homme a practical play on proportion while making for a smart way to stand out from the crowd. >>More Mens: Fashion Reviews & Runway Highlights Yves Saint Laurent A simple contrasting leather collar elevates YSL's take on the classic military coat to a devilishly handsome and subversively cool level. Acne Paired

GIORGIO ARMANI PRIVE Haute Couture Fashion Show Photos / Runway Collection Spring / Summer 2012 Paris Couture Fashion Week >> More on Giorgio Armani Prive >> More featuring the Armani brand Complete Couture: S/S 2012 MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS In their words... GIORGIO ARMANI PRIVE’ Spring/Summer Collection 2012 METAMORPHOSIS Nature’s gift to itself. An irresistible transformation into something new and surprising, with garments that reveal an unexpected sensuality. Unusual colours like chartreuse yellow, underlying thread that runs through the entire collection, are also used for the tulle lining that replicates every segment, every element of the garment. Swarovski micro crystals light up net jackets, revealing tantalising details of the body, or completely cover jackets, tunics and vests. Spiral cuts wrap around the body like

Even though Spring 2012 hasn't hit stores yet, take notes from the recent men's shows in Paris while shopping this season to get ahead of the game... With all the fashion that's been coming at us at an unforgiving speed as of late, from Pre-Fall to Couture to the recent men's shows, there's plenty to be inspired from when considering sartorial shifts. Here's a look at some of our favorite details not to be missed from Men's Fall 2012 in Paris. >>More Mens: Fashion Reviews & Runway Highlights Dior Homme Contrasting panels at Dior Homme gave the collection's military inspired outerwear a fresh spin. Lanvin Lanvin's pint-size briefcase is so cute, you may just end up nabbing one for yourself. >>SHOP: MEN’S

While we are knee-deep in fashion mania with shows coming at us in all directions from Pre-Fall to Couture to Menswear, there's still plenty to be inspired by when looking at the latest men's collections for Fall/Winter 2012. We’ve compiled a list of our top three shows to keep you up-to-date on all that’s new ahead from Paris. >>More Mens: Fashion Reviews & Runway Highlights Yves Saint Laurent (and above) - Luxe leather made for one of the season's biggest stories as it was seen on top runways like never before but the best options came from Yves Saint Laurent. Paired with proper, refined silhouettes, YSL's latest outing featured a trove of confident tailoring with precise leather accents for a look

I'll Have What She's Having: Radiant skin even in the bitter cold A serendipitous beauty coincidence here. My skin was looking a bit winter weary yesterday so I reached for some Votre Vu Tragic Magic Rescue Creme and didn't think much else about it. UNTIL, I applied my makeup last night and my skin looked so refreshed and vibrant that you could have sworn that I has paid a visit to a facialist or a derm. Then, in swoops this tidbit, that Kate Bosworth got her flawless look while braving the Sundance chill with the help of some Votre Vu too. MORE: Beauty Listen up- if you want to wear daring pink lips like Kate, your skin must look dewy and

Dsquared² MEN’S by Dan Caten and Dean Caten Fashion Show Photos / Runway Collection FALL / WINTER 2012 Milan Men's Fashion Week SHOP: Dsquared 2 menswear at ssense MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS Dsquared² MEN’S FW1213 f/w photo gallery: [nggallery id58] video Photos: Dsquared

We all need some cheap chic to mix into our wardrobe. And when it comes to fabrics for spring and summer, it's easier to down market the price tag. MORE: Cheap Chic We've got the H&M Spring Trends Videos for both men and woman to share. The collection's focus is on tailoring and sweet pastels... Enjoy! H&M TREND GUIDE WOMAN SS 2012 For Spring Summer 2012, we will see baby colours, a new way of color blocking, silk trousers, pencil skirts, and a dressed, grown up look with a lot of sharp tailoring, according to Emelie Faure; BE Magazine, Natalie Hartley; InStyle Magazine; and Ann-Sofie Johansson, Head of Design H&M. H&M TREND GUIDE MENSWEAR SS 2012 For Spring Summer 2012 we

I'll Have What She's Having: Goldfingered beige... Who said beige is blah? Take note from actress Kate Beckinsale & add just the right amount of glitzy metallics to make make-up colors pop. Last week while attending the premiere of Screen Gems' "Underworld: Awakening," Beckinsale donned a 20's inspired beige deco dress that was anything but boring thanks to a myriad of beading and sequin styles and an armful of Amrapali cuffs. Her beige dress worked as a foundation for the glitz and glimmer her beaded dress and jewelry she is wearing put on display while giving the actress's look just the right amount of polished reserve. It could work wonders on you too, just keep in mind the need for a

For the woman who has everything come these highly covetable hand painted figurines from Lanvin that feature the house's playful take on French glamour and are certain to add an achingly chic, decadent sense of flair to any room. MORE: Home Style posts and shop for pretty home accents Who needs Lladro when you can score such a distinctive, cool and decadent piece for your curio, desk or boudoir? -Naveed Hussain Want something a bit more simple & colored glass is your thing? Consider these alternatives: Kosta Boda has a fab collection of beauty & fashion conscious tabletop collectibles, like this Catwalk Madam at Bloomies. Kosta Boda Catwalk Madame Tight For lovers of art for arts sake, of pure beauty, of sophisticated

Who needs Missoni for Target mayhem when you can dress your kiddies in the real, quality deal? Girls and petites rejoice, Missoni girls latest range delves into the house's mastery of optical knits for adorable plays on proportions in vibrant color ways and playful silhouettes that are charmingly girlie without being too saccharine sweet. And while the price-points may not be the friendliest, keep in mind that they are certain to last well into the beyond for durable, covetable hand-me-downs. Looking for something cool but more attainable? Discover All Saints children's line today: All Saints Kids on FoS [nggallery id56] In their words... The little girl from the Missoni F/W 2012 collection looks like she just walked out of a

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The Blog Posts...

Banana Republic Clones “the” Kate Middleton Reiss Dress

FIRST LOOK- Ports 1961 SPRING 2012 FASHION AD CAMPAIGN

Top Trends from Paris Fall/Winter 2012 Menswear

Best Men’s Coats From Paris Fall/Winter 2012

Giorgio Armani Prive- Haute Couture Spring 12

In the Details- Fall 2012 Menswear Moments You Shouldn’t Miss from Paris

Best of Paris Menswear Fall/Winter 2012

Prime Time- Kate Bosworth preps winter weary skin before applying bold makeup

Dsquared² Fall 2012 Menswear Collection Photos

Cheap Chic Alert- H&M Spring fashion Video- and it’s not (always) about designer collabs

Celebrity Watch- Beige Shouldn’t Be Boring, Take a Note From Kate Beckinsale

Fashion Your Home Style- Lanvin’s Collectible Figurines Are on Our Most Wanted List

Missoni Girls Fall/Winter 2012- Must-Have Knits for Your Pint-Size Trendsetter

Female Entrepreneurs: Helping You & Your Business Get Out There!