“She’s my person. If I murdered someone, she’s the person I’d call to help me drag the corpse across the floor.” I absolutely love that quote from the television show, “Grey’s Anatomy,” and it’s exactly how I feel about my stylist, Shari Bloch.
She’s my person. The one I’d call if I got arrested in the middle of the night; she’d style my mug shot with ease and then bail me out of jail. She’s the one I’d depend on if I had to flee the country at a moment’s notice with nothing to wear. She’d insist on pulling looks for my life on the lam and remind me to always buy quality and classic as she kissed me goodbye.
She’s the Thelma to my Louise and if I were ever to drive my car off a cliff (like they did in the movie,) she’s the one I would want in my passenger seat, holding my hand, screaming, laughing, crying and seeing me out of this world as well-dressed as possible. It wasn’t always that way, though.
When I first came to Miami as a young entertainment reporter, I struggled to fashionably fit in and felt very self-conscious, even inadequate at times. Especially as I started to frequent Los Angeles and New York City for my job. My clothes were cute, but conservative and nothing special. My style was, well, to be totally honest, I’m not sure that I had one, but it wasn’t from lack of trying.
I spent a lot of time roaming around the Aventura Mall and local boutiques perplexed on how to harness the sex appeal of South Florida fashions, but at the same time, balance and blend them with the class and sophistication that the movers and shakers of Hollywood and Manhattan expected. That’s how I met Shari…
I bumped into her at an upscale boutique where she was working at the time and I fell in love with her immediately. She was affable, fun-loving and full of light and love. What’s more, she knew her fashion and was incredibly astute. She noticed something about me that NO ONE ever notices. I’m related to someone incredibly famous and there’s a very subtle clue about me that gives it away. Shari caught on immediately, but had the class and decency enough not to mention it in a room full of people.
Instead, she asked me: “Do you need someone to style you for Deco Drive?” I explained to her that I had limited time, money and resources, but she didn’t shy away. Instead, she handed me her card and cheerfully chirped: “It doesn’t matter, we can make it work.” I hate to sound jaded, but I didn’t believe her. I had just been burned by my former clothing sponsor, who had conveniently dropped me and started dressing another television personality (who was more visible than me at the time) when I was out of town on an extended work assignment. So, as you can imagine, I was a bit leery.
A few months later, I bumped into Shari again. This time, at one of my favorite shoe stores, Koko & Palenki; she had just started a new job there helping the owners of Koko (Justin and Pam Garcia) branch out into clothing. She pitched her services again, but this time suggested we all work together as a team: her, me and Koko. The rest is, as they say, fashion history. That was six years ago. Since then…
Shari and Koko have preened and prettied me up for some of the biggest red carpet events in Hollywood: the Oscars, Emmy’s and the Critics’ Choice Awards. They’ve also provided wardrobe for me while I’ve been busy jet-setting around the world, interviewing the biggest stars on the planet and most importantly, they’ve continued, day after day, providing stylish, fun, trendy and fabulous clothing for my recent promotion to Deco Drive Co-host.
It hasn’t always been easy, either. Sometimes, what works in person doesn’t work on television. Some clothes travel well, some don’t. The volume of clothing needed to keep the Entertainment Host/Reporter train moving is insurmountable, but over the years I’ve found out when it comes to Shari and Koko, where there’s a will, there’s always an outfit. It hasn’t just been the clothing: my dream fashion team has invested in me as a person, too.
When I was sick and desperately trying to recover from a traumatic illness, Shari found clothing to hide my frailness. She fiercely protected my image and even hooked me up with Zen Zen Organic Hair Salon, an incredibly caring and gifted hair team, that helped me deal with the devastating loss of the majority of my hair. Never once did Shari or Koko ever waiver or wander away (trade me in for another on-air tv person,) they just focused on my wardrobe and what it would take to make me look and feel better.
Eventually, by the grace of God, I did get better and along the way, my fashion sense did, too. I developed an incredible love for pretty dresses, vintage sweaters and personality-driven shoes. I even embraced my true bohemian side and started wearing the turquoise jewelry from Santa Fe that my mother gifted me every year on my birthday. Along the way, I realized I was most comfortable dressing either in a prim and proper Ted Baker-esque way or like a wandering gypsy with a Miu Miu-slash-DVF kind of flair.
What’s more, it occurred to me after all the pieces Shari dressed me in: shirts, skirts, pants, dresses, blouses, sweaters, jackets, coats, shoes, boots, hats, scarves and jewelry, I had finally found my own STYLE. It wasn’t about owning something designer or expensive (although, who doesn’t love a nice treat,) it was about finding what made me happy and wearing it, which is exactly why I started my fashion blog, Shireen’s Favorite Things. In fact, it’s the tagline for all of my social media blog posts #ifitmakesyouhappy #wearit.
When I went to Pam, Justin and Shari and told them I wanted to start my own fashion blog and needed their support, they of course, jumped aboard the trend-setting train. My idea has always been to infuse blogging, social media and television. And, so, here we are. As the blog continues growing, they’ve grown with me and as I’ve branched out into the fashion community, they’ve stylishly paved the way.
On this chilly Miami day, “Sweater Weather” is about embracing every single facet of life: its joy and its pain, in the most warm and loving way. Moreover, this is the time of year all of us in South Florida enjoy a brief respite from the hot, tropical temperatures. Whether it’s your favorite leather coat, stylish knee-high boots or that pretty vintage sweater you love, pull it out of your closet and wear it with a smile, I know Shari would…
Shireen Sandoval: When styling the blog, what feel did you want to create?
Shari Bloch: I love the Aspen cool-chic look, so I went with the hooded, fur cashmere (detachable trim) shawl/poncho. It’s a style that’s always timeless. The fur sweater I adore, too! I love the casual ease of the pockets and fun thumb holes. My feel when styling this was a modern day cameo necklace profile: exquisite and refined. (Both styles pictured in the blog.)
SS: What is the must-have sweater of the season?
Shari Bloch: A lightweight cashmere. I just love the richness of cashmere.
SS: What are stand-out sweater textures for South Florida?
SB: An airy, easy to open weave knit. Preferably something off the shoulder, as Miami girls still like to show some skin, even during chilly cold fronts! I love the sweaters by “Feel The Piece.”
SS: What’s the best way to pair sweaters and boots of the season?
SB: An oversized sweater (belted or not) with a skinny jean (ripped or not) and a booty, shoe-ty or over-the-knee flat boot. Also, the boho look is really in: ripped boyfriend jeans with a cropped sweater.
SS: You’ve been my stylist for years now; what’s the difference between styling me for television (Deco Drive) verses editorial/blog pictures (Shireen’s Favorite Things?)
SB: Deco Drive is a very South Florida centric show, so I style your television wardrobe to appeal to the everyday Miami woman. I like people to relate to your clothing. Whether it’s a top, belt or a fabulous piece of jewelry, I want your viewers to say: “I want that!” Editorial is a vast difference. Those looks should have no sense of time or place. We want people to look back at a picture and think: “what a beautiful shot.” Although, we have had some “what were we thinking moments?” Ha, ha!
SS: What are your top 3 proudest moments of styling my looks for Hollywood interviews/Red Carpets?
SB: Oprah! And you in the Ted Baker floral ensemble. We looked for about two minutes. I dragged you into the fitting room against your will and viola; we were good to go in a stunning flowery taffeta skirt and matching crew neck, cashmere sweater. The next one was a few years ago at the Winterfest Gala, we styled you in that gold halter gown. You were a pillar of light in that dress, something was so magical about that moment and the pictures were amazing. The last was your wardrobe for your Australia assignment. The entire look from start to finish, so many textures and pieces needed to be pulled for “The Land Down Under,” it was truly a great experience in styling.
SS: How would you describe my fashion sense and what my closet is like?
SB: The real Shireen is so downtown girl goes boho cool and effortlessly quirky. It’s unreal how you’re so multi-faceted when it comes to fashion and your closet is ridiculously, obsessively, anally neat!
SS: If I gave you 30 seconds to be dressed and out of the house, what would you put on?
SB: A tight, black ribbed turtleneck, skinny J Brand jeans and flat Stuart Weismann 50/50 over-the-knee boots (from Koko & Palenki of course.) Add lipgloss and concealer and I’m ready to go.
SS: What is fashion versus style?
SB: Fashion is ever-changing; season by season, decade by decade. There’s no sustainability. Style on the other hand is so personal, it’s all ones own imprint, your signature, so to speak. No one can say otherwise.
SS: What is your most prized wardrobe possession?
SB: Undeniably, my grandmother Celia’s fox fur cream, collared vintage cardigan. It has a beautiful rhinestone clasp, we used it on one of our first fashion photo shoots together and I knew it was in good company.
SS: Shockingly, your closet is very minimal and you don’t own tons of things. You know what you like, which is…?
SB: Well, this is a tough question Miss Sandoval. I like classic style and although it sounds cliche, I know what suits me best and I tend to stick with it. I like basics: black, grey, creams, whites and then I try to add a twist along the way.
SS: What is your dream purchase?
SB: An Hermes matte crocodile Birkin bag, which is probably too heavy to carry, but I’d deal with it! I’ll send you a birthday reminder.
SS: What celebrity best represents how you would love to dress?
SB: JLO! If only I had her body. She has that classy sensuality I admire and always wears what best suits her body. She knows herself or at least her stylist definitely knows!
SS: Who do you think is the most influential person in fashion today?
SB: Tom Ford.
SS: Who are your top 3 designers?
SB: Oscar del la Renta, Elisabeth And James, DVF.
SS: What do you love most about being a stylist?
SB: I love the blank canvas, to be able to create and visualize a look, a feel and make it come to life.
SS: What’s the best fashion advice you’ve ever received? And in turn, what is the best fashion advice you can give?
SB: Wait and buy well and invest in great shoes and an obscene bag, too. Those two items will make even a t-shirt from Target work. My advice would be: “don’t follow the pack, stand apart, wear what works best for your body shape and age.” When you look at your reflection in the mirror, you should say: “Yes, I nailed it.”
When it comes to being my stylist, Shari’s advice precedes her. Forget a hammer, when she nails it fashion-wise, it’s with a sledgehammer and that’s just one of the many reasons why “she’s my person.” When people ask me, who I’m wearing? I love being able to say: “It’s Koko, styled by Shari” and that’s why the spirit of the blog, “Sweater Weather,” embracing life with warmth, style and love, despite all of its challenges, will always be one of my favorite things.
Blog styled by Shari Bloch
Twitter: @soblondie729
IG: @ShariBloch
FB: Styling by Shari
Blog Wardrobe provided by:
www.kokopalenki.com
Twitter: @KokoPalenki
IG: @KokoPalenki
FB: Koko Palenki
Twitter @ShireenSandoval
IG @ShireenSandoval
ssandoval@wsvn.com
www.shireensandoval.com
photography by tod p/t4twophotography
Twitter @todp_photo
IG @Tod_p
info@t4twophotography.com
Hair & Make-up by Odette Hernandez
Twitter @Odettehernandz
IG Odett_Herndz
Editor: Matthew Auerbach
MattAuerbach@yahoo.com