{Street-Spotted} Ruta Fox

It’s tempting to stay in your pajamas all day, especially when you work from home. Not for FOF Ruta Fox.“I find you can actually be more productive if you get up and get dressed,” says Ruta. “You have to have some kind of structure if you work from home, otherwise you get sidetracked with things like laundry and cooking.” Ruta, the founder of DivineDiamonds.com, works from her Upper East Side, Manhattan apartment. Today we spotted her on the way to a meeting.

Name: Ruta Fox

Age: Over 50

Where are you going? I have a meeting with a friend who is a private jeweler.

How would you describe your style? Classic, but fun. Trendy, but not over the top.

Favorite stores? Daffys, Bloomingdales and Zara.

Is there anything you never wear? The colors yellow, red and chartreuse.

What colors do you like to wear? Cream, beige, black and pale pinks and blues.

How has your style changed over the years? It actually hasn’t changed that much. I’ve always liked detail, such as a flower or embroidery… something of interest.

Favorite designers? Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera

Splurge piece? A vintage alligator handbag from a market on the Upper West Side and a Nanette Lepore jacket.

Signature piece? The Ah Ring from my company, DivineDiamonds.com.

On Ruta:
Shoes — Edoardo Alessi
PantsThe Limited
Blouse Newport News
Bag Kenneth Cole
RingThe Ah Ring from her company, DivineDiamonds.com
Bracelet — From Bali
SunglassesRalph Lauren

Images by Katherine McPherson for faboverfifty.com

{Makeovers} LaDonna Gets All Dolled Up

FOF LaDonna Hale Curzon, 53, emailed FOF founder Geri Brin a few months ago with this charming ode to turning fifty:

“Three years ago, I learned to ride a motorcycle and now own one; rode twice in Rolling Thunder; learned to fly my hydrofoil on the Potomac; sent my daughters to college; caught a large-mouth bass with a fly rod; learned to play golf; started *Sarah Palin Radio; celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary and had my first Botox injection. Life just gets started at 50!”

Geri loved LaDonna’s story and offered an FOF makeover to help transform her look to match her new lease on life.

LaDonna agreed, and this summer, she and her daughter Sarah, 19, traveled from their home in Alexandria to NYC to meet with an FOF makeover crew.

“She needs a firm hand sometimes with the style,” Sarah told us. “I think she likes to be relaxed so much that she just doesn’t think about it.”

“I’ve been raising two teenage daughters and all the focus has been on them,” LaDonna explained. “Their clothes, their beauty – and of course they look stunning.  They’d watch all the makeover shows on TV and say, ‘Mom, that should be you.’ And I’d say, ‘I know.’”

We turned to the team at Butterfly Studio Salon in Manhattan, where an expert hair stylist, colorist, and makeup artist combined to play the role of Fairy Godmother.  Sharon Roth at Jarbo Collection—one of our fave FOF designers—supplied the “after” outfits.

HAIR: “I love coming to get my haircut; it’s like therapy for me,” LaDonna said. “Because I always leave happy and it’s cheaper than going to a therapist.  It’s like massaging your ego.”

{Click here to see all of colorist Tammy Kopie’s techniques}

{Click here to see all of hairstylist Kelly Finneran’s tips}

MAKEUP: Francesca Roman worked her makeup magic with products from Paula Dorf.

{Click here to see everything she used}

After the make-up, we asked LaDonna how the finished makeover felt.

“I feel divine,” she said.  “I love everything they’ve done.  My hair feels so soft and sophisticated, and it has some highlights, which I’ve never had in my life.  The makeup is unbelievable. I really didn’t recognize myself – in a good way.  My daughter was complimenting me!”

Images by Katherine McPherson for FabOverFifty.com

[*Editor’s note: We love LaDonna but want to clarify that Faboverfifty has no political affiliation.]

{Fashion} My FOF Uniform

“It’s taken me years to discover my look,” writes FOF founder Geri Brin, in her recent blog entry. “I used to change it all the time, but that’s because I was trying to find out who I was. I’m thrilled that I finally found out.”

When you’re FOF, you know the value of a “uniform”–a look that fits, flatters and gets you out the door in five minutes flat. 3 FOFs share their no-fail, feel-good “uniforms.” What’s yours?
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FOF Joni Fischer
Retail director of Christopher Fischer Cashmere


My uniform: A cashmere cardigan with two tank tops layered underneath, relaxed or skinny pants, a chunky necklace and flats.

“I layer a tighter tank top and then a looser tank top to smooth me out so I have no line. My cardigans are always Christopher Fischer Cashmere. Even in the summer I wear a lightweight cashmere, almost like a gauze. Prada and Manolo Blahnik have the best flats. I top it all off with a chunky necklace–antique brass or antique silver. The last one I bought is by Lanvin from Paris. One of my favorite necklaces is by a new designer, Gemma Redux, who uses lots of chains in her designs.”

When I started wearing it: “Probably for 10 years–since we opened the Christopher Fischer retail stores.”

Why I wear it: “Because I have to get dressed in a hurry; I’m always running from store to store.”

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FOF Cindy Joseph
Founder of Boom by Cindy Joseph cosmetics

My Uniform: Linen shirts, jeans and silver hoop earrings.

In the summer my linen shirts are cream or white. In the winter, they’re navy (never black) with brown Varda boots. I have black boots but I feel more like myself in brown. The jeans are always men’s Levis–501s. I hate jeans that are too low cut; they always cause a muffin top! I don’t believe in buying worn-out jeans. I like wearing them in myself; they become a part of you, and everyone wears out their jeans differently.

When I started wearing it: I think I was born with this on. When I was younger I always wore men’s white v-neck t-shirts with jeans. I guess I have become more sophisticated.

Why I wear it: Its comfortable and classic. And it suits my personality… I’m very practical. I can’t wear really feminine clothes. I look too frou-frou.  I would rather call attention to myself than my clothes. It’s the same thing with my makeup.

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FOF Linda Morse
Owner of String, luxury knitting store in NYC

My Uniform: Black pants, a black top and black flats.

The pants are made of a silky material and range in cut from straight-leg to tight. The tops are always oversized and long–to the elbows, at least. Every five years I’ll switch my flats since trends change. Occasionally, in the summer, I’ll substitute all black for all white. I have versions of this outfit in all different price ranges. I mix and match pants and tops from Eileen Fisher, Yeohlee, Laura Biagiotti and Eskandar.  But if you didn’t know me, you would think I always wear the same outfit.

When I started wearing it: In college.

Why I wear it: I don’t feel comfortable in anything else.

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Portrait of Cindy Joseph by Heather Weston
All other images by Katherine McPherson for
FabOverFifty.com

What’s your “uniform?” Comment below to tell us.