Sock it to me... the defiant style of Aretha Franklin

Aretha proudly singing at the Inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2019

I'm sure it's not news at this point, but the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin just passed.

Her style was referred to that of a "Defiant Deva." She started out her career

conforming to the expectations of a woman of gospel; she dressed demurely with straightened hair.

As she ascended into stardom, she changed the parameters of how we understood and defined black beauty.

As I was scanning the internet for photos of her unstoppable style, I couldn't help notice that she shared my love of orange. The other thing that became increasingly clear was that Aretha Franklin dressed to please one person: herself.

"I get tired ... just a little bit. Keep on tryin'...just a little bit."

(The images will lead you to articles and, of course, videos of the Queen of Soul)