Meet Sharon: The Stylist Who Inspires Young Women to Dress with Grace, Style, & Purpose

Growing up as the youngest of all girls, I was a typical fashionista who loved clothes and fashion, deeply admiring my mother, the late Reverend Dr. Shirley Decoster, who was known for her stylish and impeccable appearance that exuded an unparalleled sense of confidence and grace, captivating all who had the privilege of witnessing her majestic presence. From a young age, my sisters and I were raised in the church, immersed in a rich tapestry of spiritual experiences that included regular attendance at Sunday school, Bible study, church services throughout the weekday and weekends, Summer Bible School, and revival tent services. The seeds of a deep and abiding relationship with the Lord were planted early on, further strengthened by the profound experience of watching my mother preach from the pulpit for 34 years, a testament to her unwavering commitment to sharing the life-transforming message of the Gospel and her tireless efforts to inspire and uplift all who encountered her powerful messages and anointed ministry is what inspired me.

As a Christian single woman in my 50s, I find myself deeply rooted in the faith that has sustained me throughout my life.

My mother's impeccable fashion sense was likely my first true model of style. She had a knack for coordinating the prettiest two-piece suits, with a fitted waistline, a mid-calf skirt, a tailored blazer, and a pair of elegant heels. To complete her look, she would often accessorize with a dainty floral handkerchief, a vibrant flowery pendant, and beautiful, wide-brimmed hats that adorned her head with grace and style as she made her way to the church, where she would take her seat and reverently worship the Lord. While she did not wear these hats in the pulpit, her unwavering devotion to God and her commitment to presenting herself with dignity and elegance made a lasting impression on me.

It was no surprise that I fell in love with fashion as a little girl, nor was it a surprise that as an adult, I spent several years working for the largest modeling agency in the world when I first realized how much I enjoyed mentoring young adults. While serving in this capacity, I had the opportunity to visit countless middle and high schools throughout North Carolina and encourage students to have a positive self-image. It was through this great experience and my passion for working with youth that I developed a program that focused on building inner beauty, self-esteem and promoting a healthy body image using fashion to capture and hold the interest of youth.

It was during this pivotal time in my life that God began to unveil the purpose and ministry He had in store for me.

Throughout the course of my life, I have been confronted with an array of challenges, each one presenting a unique opportunity for personal growth and a deepening of my spiritual journey. Along the way, I witnessed God's unwavering presence, strength, and compassion, even in the midst of life's trials and tribulations.

It was on this journey that I come to have a more personal relationship with God and learn of Him for myself. Along the way, He continued to show Himself mighty and strong in my life. It was through my divorce that God showed He is a heart-fixer, It was through the passing of my mother to cancer literally 2-weeks before obtaining my first degree that God personally showed me He is a comforter, it was during the challenging times of setbacks, betrayals, and disappointments that God revealed Himself as my ever-present help in times of need.

Gods purpose for my life was evident in the work that I did and the impact that He was showing me along my journey, yet I initially struggled to accept the calling to be a vessel that God would use, as the person I thought would be with me in walking that path was no longer there. Grieving the loss of my mother's physical presence, I was hesitant to fully embrace the journey God had laid before me, but I eventually came to recognize that God's purpose would continue to unfold in my life regardless, and that He would be my constant companion, even in the midst of profound loss and uncertainty

I had to learn to let go…

While it may not have been an easy, the decision to accept the past and look towards the future was a necessary step in my spiritual journey. Letting go of the past and surrendering to the will of God was a transformative experience, allowing the anointing to continue to flow and the purpose of my life to become increasingly clearer every day.

This is my how and why I have a sincere passion to help other people, in particular women who are struggling to move past their past. My mission is to transform lives, win souls to proclaim the good news, to bind up the brokenhearted and comfort those who mourn, to proclaim freedom and the year of the Lords favor, to bestow on Gods’ daughters a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61)

The time is now..