Advertisement

Aretha Franklin's iconic style and beauty looks

Aretha Franklin passed away on Thursday at her home in Detroit, she was 76 years old.

The prolific singer’s career spans over six decades, rightfully earning her the title ‘Queen of Soul’. Although music may be her centrepiece, Aretha’s fashion and beauty looks can be heralded as equally iconic.

Her style was extravagant, lavish, and befitting of a superstar. Although one of Franklin’s sartorial choices may not be as popular today – she loved wearing fur. She often wore luxurious fur coats on and off the stage, with intricately embroidered dresses threaded with beads and feathers. Aretha had a penchant for regal jewelery, too: statement jewel earrings, emerald rings, and pearl necklaces.

The Natural Woman singer was unafraid of bold, bright colours, loud, statement prints, and elaborate hair and makeup looks. In the ‘60s, Franklin often wore beehive hairdos and glossy, nude lips with maxi-length embroidered dresses and caftans. During the ‘70s, she embraced the era’s ‘flower power’ aesthetic.

From her 20s to her 70s, Aretha’s style epitomised her extraordinary talent. She embraced old Hollywood glamour, wearing Oscar-worthy red-carpet gowns that shimmered, and shined on and off stage. More was always better with this diva.

Having started her musical career at a time when there wasn’t as much widely-reported scrutiny of a woman’s appearance as it today (think entertainers like Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, or Jennifer Lopez) Aretha freely and effortlessly experimented with just about every beauty trend.

Throughout her 76 years, the ‘Queen of Soul’ has been a force to be reckoned with, earning a myriad of accolades that musicians only dream of. In 1967 at just 25, she released her hit song, “Respect,” which quickly skyrocketed to the top of the music charts.

In 1987, Franklin became the first woman to ever be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 1994, she became the youngest recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors at 52 years old. That same year, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2005, she was selected as one of 14 recipients for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Throughout her decades-long career, the Detroit-born artist has earned 44 Grammy nominations and won 18 of them.

To say Aretha Franklin is a legend is an understatement.

Got a story tip? Send it to tips@yahoo7.com.au

Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram.