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Home · News

Divas Live: Aretha Franklin, Coif Chameleon

Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul. She's belted out some of the world's most enduring R&B classics. She's also had roughly twelve thousand hairstyles. Here, we look back on the music icon's most unforgettable mane moments.
By · June 11, 2010October 29, 2020
01
Industry Ingenue, 1966

Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul. She’s belted out some of the world’s most enduring R&B classics. She’s also had roughly twelve thousand hairstyles. Here, we look back on the music icon’s most unforgettable mane moments!

02
Freedom Hair, 1968

By the late ’60s, Franklin had gone from sweet, teenager-y bouffant wigs to a “Black is Beautiful” ’fro. Love the Afrocentric tunic.

03
On Top, 1968

For a 1968 promotional shot, Franklin rocks a tube top and a sleek, super-high topknot. This moment would look just as chic today, wouldn’t it?

04
Pretty in Peach, 1970

Almost thirty years before Erykah Badu made the mile-high headwrap her “think,” Franklin rocked the look at a 1970 photoshoot.

05
So Seductive, 1973

Aretha is channeling her inner seductress here, sporting impressive cleavage, a thigh-high slit and a cluster of Billie Holiday-esque gardenias behind one ear. So elegant.

06
Curly Girl, 1975

Aretha showed up to rehearsals for the 1975 Oscar ceremony wearing prim curls swept back away from her face.

07
Viva la Diva, 1986

At a performance in 1986, Franklin goes for all-out drama with a sky-high, curly pompadour, smokey eyes and serious sequins.

08
Wave Hello, 1990

Franklin hit the red carpet at the 1990 Grammy Awards rocking a head full of soft, rippling waves.

09
Flirty Flip, 2008

At the 2008 VH1 Summer Of Soul Concert, Aretha went for an easy, casual look with these flippy, long layers.

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