Image Throwback: Do you remember Dolly?

I wonder how many people are like me…I love a good episode of Biography on A&E. This morning I was watching the episode on Dolly Parton. As a child growing up I remember Dolly Parton for her soft vocals, very flamboyant image, and bombshell physique.

 For those of you who are unfamiliar with Dolly Parton, she is a very successful American country musician from Tennessee. Her hits include the ever popular “9 to 5″ and “I will always love you” (A song made even more popular by Whitney Houston). She is the reigning queen of country music.

Besides her music, Dolly is famous for her big image. She is a woman who, to this day at the fabulous age of 64 still walks out of her house all made up. Best of all, she would never apologize for it. Why should she?  that is Dolly. As she ages she still puts effort into maintaining her look. One of the funniest things I have heard her say is “if I see something sagging, bagging, and dragging, I’m going to nip it, tuck it, and suck it.” Now that’s honesty. lol.

Though some of her style choices would not be replicated in my wardrobe, I have to say that I love the way that she made her style personal to her. She is famous for making fun of herself and for admitting that she does not care too much about fashion trends and “style” per se. She dresses according to her mood and desire.

One thing is certain about Dolly’s image-it is memorable. Who doesn’t remember the huge blonde back combed hair, glittery dresses, long red fingernails, her signature bust-line attached to a tiny frame, her cute smile and that soft little voice? Dolly is a Diva, make no bones about it. Yes, her style might not be the next thing featured in “In Style” magazine but one thing is certain—though it may hurt her sometimes by the negative things people say, she is who she is and that’s just how its going to be.

What really adds presence to her memorable image is her darling personality. Dolly was and still is an honest, funny, compassionate and best of all radiant woman who loves life and knows who she is. In my opinion, that is the real secret to longevity.

I wonder if Dolly’s physical image had any influence on the newest self proclaimed “Barbie” of Hip Hop Nicki Minaj? After all Dolly really started it all being the first country “Barbie”…