Like many others I woke up Wednesday morning to the incredibly sad news of the passing of music icon Aretha Franklin.

It’s funny how you get so used to a certain presence that you never imagine what it would be like if they were no longer here.  As I began to reflect on all of my memories of Miss Franklin, another memory crept into my mind. Back in 2010, the world was saddened by the sudden suicide of legendary designer Alexander McQueen.  This sad occasion was memorialized at one of the most stylish and over the top funerals that I had ever seen. One by one, fashion icons like Naomi Campbell, Sarah Jessica Parker and Daphne Guiness strutted past photographers and thousands of grieving fans decked out in the latest McQueen designs.  It made such an impact on my psyche that I couldn’t help but fantasize about how i would style for a funeral. With the collections for fall 2018, there was no shortage of options.

                          Miu Miu                                 Chanel                                  Alexander McQueen

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t be too sexy or flashy for a funeral.  Meaning anything that shows too much skin or over embellished with colorful sequins is completely out.

                         Carolina Herrera                     Oscar de la Renta                  Valentino

Now I’m not saying you can’t have a few accents. A subtle embroidery or print that isn’t too distracting is fine. After all, a true fashion lover isn’t going to change their whole style simply because of a sad occasion.

                         Dior                                        Bottega Veneta                      Balenciaga

Any accessories should be minimal, however, they can still have some pizzazz. Nothing too over powering but with just enough detail to set yourself apart from the rest.

Something as sad as a funeral is stressful in itself, but maybe a stylish outlook will be a stepping stone to putting the pieces back together.

RIP Aretha Franklin

Written by Dominique Bedell

Pearls have always been a symbol of elegance, but until now, most women have had a rather conservatory approach towards them. This year, major fashion taken a modern approach to pearls with bold designs and refreshing collections.

In this article, we are going to show you 10 ways to style and wear your authentic pearls, proving that they are not only meant for formal events and can easily be incorporated into daily outfits.

1. Black & White Rings with Monochrome Outfits

Image Source: Pinterest

The inspiration for this outfit comes from none other than Beyoncé. Queen B stole the show during the 2013 Grammy Award’s with a minimalistic hot black-and-white jumpsuit. What can you take away from this outfit? Less is always more. Monochromatic outfits work very well for business casual and formal settings. They can also be styled easily with statement and pearl jewelry. We strongly recommend accessorizing real pearl rings, either Akoya or Tahitian, with classic studs, stilettos, and monochromatic jumpsuits or office ensembles.

2. Statement Pearl earrings with Bold Sequins

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 10: Model Taylor Hill walks the runway for Prabal Gurung fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery 2, Skylight Clarkson Sq on September 10, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images For NYFW: The Shows)

Statement earrings are big this season. Major fashion houses are incorporating over-sized pearl earrings into daring outfits. A perfect way to wear statement pearl earrings is by combining them with bold sequin blouses or dresses. Bam! You have not one, but two powerful accessories that complement each other perfectly. You need nothing else. Simply pull back your hair in a sleek hairdo to emphasize the earrings and neck-line and you’re set.

Image source: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

3. Turn your necklace into a bracelet

We challenge you to take your grandmother’s forgotten pearl necklace and turn it into something amazing. Long necklaces can easily be styled into multi-stand bracelets. All you have to do is to wrap it around your wrist for a few times until it fits. Combine with a simple jumpsuit or a short dress for the perfect summer look.

4. Ribbons on Pearl Jewelry

Want to repurpose your pearl jewelry without damaging it? A simple ribbon is the answer. You can get a silk ribbon which will actually protect the pearls and wrap it around the necklace or a bracelet. Look for a colorful ribbon and combine it with black or white pearls. You can even create a set by adding ribbons to your pearl earrings. This type of necklace works extremely well with classic cut dresses and cocktail outfits.  

Image source:  lonestarsouthern.com

5. Silver Necklace with Pearl Pendant

Silver necklaces are amazing because you can wear them with any outfit. Also, they are pretty easy to combine with other pieces of jewelry, especially with pearls. For this style you will need two or three long silver necklaces of different lengths and a simple pearl pendant. Choose a black pearl to add a bit of mystery to your outfit or combine with a velvet choker. We strongly recommend wearing this type of jewelry with simple V-cut blouses or dresses.

6. Delicate pearl Headbands

You don’t have to wait for your wedding day to wear a delicate pearl headband. There are countless ways to style headbands because there are hundreds of models of headbands that you can choose from. From casual, to boho chic, and even burlesque, pearl headbands are always appropriate. You can mix different pearl colors with flowers, silver accessories, floral motifs, and luxury materials. The image below is a perfect example of pearl headband incorporated into a casual summer outfit.

Image Source: Pinterest

7. Earrings styled as a Brooch

A pair of interesting pearl earrings can also be used as a brooch. You can place them on your favorite dress, t-shirt or jacket. Just use the pin and catch it on the material. Then close the pin with the special lock and your will have an amazing brooch that gives you a more feminine aura.

8. Reversed Long Pearl Necklace

The perfect look for a relaxed dinner date can be achieved with a maxi dress with flower prints and a backdrop pearl necklace. Get a backless dress and your favorite long pearl necklace and give your look a twist. Instead of wearing the necklace normally, let it swing on your back for a more dramatic appearance or purchase a backdrop necklace designed specifically for this purpose.

9. Black and White Jewelry

Another interesting way to style your pearl jewelry is to select two pieces of jewelry and combine them. Get a black necklace and a white one. Combine them, adjust strand sizes and you will get a special piece of jewelry for a classier occasion.

Image source: Pinterest

   10. Play with Multicolor Pearls

Pearls don’t just come in black and white, they can also be lavender, pink, or golden. As far as colored pearls are concerned, none are more fabulous then colored baroque pearls and golden south sea pearls. All baroque pearls have a unique shape and incredible luster. You can buy the most interesting colored baroque pearls and create your own long necklace to wear at work.

Image Source: Pinterest

Choose any of these styles if you want a modern and interesting way of wearing your pearl jewelry. Make sure to combine these gems with appropriate clothes. Go for simple patterns so your outfit looks amazing.

It’s that time again for Vogue Magazine to unveil their cover for the prestigious September issue.

The feast for our eyes were beautiful pictures of the one and only Beyonce, who makes her fourth appearance on a Vogue September cover. This time it was shot in London by photographer Tyler Mitchell. At just 23 years old, Mitchell is the youngest and the very first African American to shoot for the magazine. All of the hype surrounding this issue made me reminisce on some of my favorite September issues of years past. The conclusion is this list of my top 5 September issues.

5.  Shalom Harlow and Amber Valletta September 1998

Back in the good ole days when supermodels ruled the world, these two beauties graced the cover of Vogue’s September 1995 issue. Maybe it’s the welcoming smiles that we no longer see or even that beautiful red Isaac Mizrahi gown on Amber Valletta but I’ve always gravitated towards this image.

4.  Kirsten Dunst September 2005

While promoting her movie Marie Antoinette, Kirsten Dunst, who played the title role, covered the 2005 September issue dressed as her character. The Sophia Copolla directed movie was a stylized perspective of Marie Antoinette and her rise to power, which ultimately led to her demise. This was a fashion lovers dream and Dunst hit a homerun in the role.

3. Supermodels covering the September 2004 issue

Now I love models as much as the next fashion lover, however, anytime Vogue decides to use models on the cover it’s like a big hug from Jesus. Maybe not so dramatic, but I digress. The 2004 September Issue saw the comeback of the supermodels and featured a foldout cover which bore the amazing pictures of the day’s hottest models. Daria Werbowy, Natalia Vodianova, and Giselle Bundchen made the front.

2. Kate Moss September 2011

Kate! Kate! Kate! Who doesn’t love the rebel and notorious badass Kate Moss? Having been one of most famous supermodels in the world, Moss knows how to turn out a picture. While a supermodel siting on a magazine cover in 2011 was extremely rare, that didn’t stop Vogue from putting this beauty on that year’s September issue.

1 Naomi Campbell September 1989

The fashion gods were shining down when Anna Wintour accepted her position as Editor in Chief for Vogue in 1988. Her very first September issue was in 1989 and featured a then 18 year old Naomi Campbell. A black model on a Vogue cover was rare in itself, therefore one on a September cover was downright unheard of. Thanks Anna!

Honorable mention: Rihanna September 2018

Granted this is a British Vogue cover, I had to feature Rihanna because she’s the shit and I love her.

Written By: Dominique Bedell