A STYLE IS BORN

I can recall during one pre-teen birthday; I was gifted by one of my most beloved favorite aunts a 12-month subscription to the magazine YM (Young Miss). This magazine was the precursor to the modern-day Teen Vogue. I turned the glossy pages, read each article on 80's bands and teen fashion dozens of times. I looked forward to the monthly quiz that predicted which boy liked me or my fashion sensibility. Each month, I rushed to the mailbox

when i anticipated the release of the newest issue. YM monthly issues is where I discovered how much I enjoyed picking outfits for school. It was the 1980s aka "the feel-good decade" before cell phones or the Internet. My daily fashion picks predated the movie "Clueless" where Cher and Dionne spent hours in their fashion closets curating their daily looks for school. Fashion was transitioning from the wide legged pants and polyester leisure suits of the 1970s to the neon green, orange and yellow tops, fishnet stocking, lace and big bows worn by Madonna and Boy George and what would become known as Urban Streetwear rocked by Roxanne Shante and Run DMC. It wasn't the clothes that stood out most to me; I loved accessorizing my outfits. From the dangling star earrings Madonna wore in her "Like a Virgin" video to the key earring worn by Janet Jackson in "Rhythm Nation"; I loved it all.

One's accessories are just as important as the outfit. The accessory is meant to compliment the outfit, not overshadow it. Your jewels "accessorize", contribute to or aid your overall appearance. Explore your style aesthetic. Step outside of your comfort zone and get busy adding YOUR personal jewelry styles to your looks. Clothes are great but your jewels can be your "icebreaker" at the next event you attend.