It's the 82nd birthday of Bob Mackie, of one of fashion's most iconic creator. Celebrate with look back at his many star-studded styles, from Cher's larger-than-life looks to limited-edition Barbie dresses.&nbsp;

Internationally renowned costume and fashion designer to the stars <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/bob-mackie-cfda-geoffrey-beene-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bob Mackie </a>got his start as a sketch artist in South Carolina. Today Mackie is known for dressing entertainment icons like Cher, but in 1961 his illustrations were his most in-demand creations. <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/bridgerton-netflix-costume-designer-ellen-mirojnick-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Costume designers</a> like Academy Award winning Edith Head and Jean Louis paid for his drawings. By 1982, the designer had his own widely popular ready-to-wear <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/spring-2021-handbags-prada-gucci-chanel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">collection </a>and debuted the legendary <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/barbie-doll-mattel-brithday-pop-culture-significance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bob Mackie Barbie </a>collectable doll. This success of the doll was a groundbreaking achievement and continues to influence creators today. The concept of a collectible toy in accompaniment with a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/spring-summer-2021-runway-trend-astrology-zodiac-sign" target="_blank" rel="noopener">high fashion</a> label to further immerse consumer audiences in a brand&rsquo;s ecosystem was then and is still incredibly innovative. Like many rare or vintage collectibles, the Bob Mackie Barbie continues to be sought after by both collectors and fashion savants.
Beyond his ready-to-wear brand, in 1996 Mackie landed a job as Mitzi Gaynor&rsquo;s costume designer, the first in a long lineage of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/miu-miu-tales-isabel-sandoval-shangri-la" target="_blank" rel="noopener">costume design</a> residencies. Mackie revamped the look of Gaynor&rsquo;s Las Vegas Review as well as dressed her adjacent television specials. It was the perfect premiere for his work: a blend of glitz, humor, and elegance. The opportunity also provided a platform for Mackie&rsquo;s designs to be discovered by others. Next to take notice of the soon-to-be-star was Carol Burnett and TV producer Joe Hamilton. Together they onboarded Mackie to design the Carol Burnett Show&rsquo;s closet, a gig he kept for the entire 11 year lifespan of the show. Around this time Mackie began to receive global recognition for his creations worn by Cher on her television show, as well as in her live concerts. His designs for Cher went on to win Emmys in 1999 for Cher: Live in Concert from Las Vegas and again in 2003 for Cher: The Farewell Tour.&nbsp;
The Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) honored Mackie in 1999 with the retrospective exhibition Unmistakably Mackie. Today, the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/met-costume-institute-about-time-fashion-andrew-bolton-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exhibit</a> is still one of the most highly attended of its kind in New York City&rsquo;s history. It spanned over 125 examples of Mackie's physical designs, illustrations, photos, and fashion films. As seen in the exhibition and throughout history, Mackie&rsquo;s designs embolden and empower women. His creations have contributed to a more <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/female-owned-streetwear-brands-misbhv-x-girl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">daring image of femininity</a>, and cultural shift towards celebrating women with vibrant colors, lavish fabrics, and unapologetic allure. In honor of his 82nd birthday, L&rsquo;OFFICIEL rounds up some of his many awe-inspiring designs from over the years.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Alice Through the Looking Glass, 1966

Shared with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/promising-young-woman-carey-mulligan-costumes-nancy-steiner-emerald-fennell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">costume designer</a> Ray Aghayan, in 1967 Mackie won his first Emmy for costume design. At the time it was the award for Individual Achievements in Art Direction and Allied Crafts, but it really just meant best costume design. They won for their structured and colorfully painted gowns in the 1966 film Alice Through the Looking Glass.

G.I.T. on Broadway, 1969

In 1969 Mackie <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/mank-trish-summerville-amanda-seyfried-costume-design" target="_blank" rel="noopener">designed the entire wardrobe</a> of Broadway television special G.I.T. starring Diana Ross and The Supremes. His work earned him his second Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design the following year.

Mitzi... Zings Into Spring, 1977

One of Mackie's first longstanding collaborations was with The Mitzi Gaynor Show. In 1978 he won his second Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/black-panther-costume-designer-ruth-carter-afrofuturism-scad-museum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Costume Design</a> for Music-Variety for working with Gaynor. His first was for Mitzi...Roarin' in the 20's 1976 production. The second is pictured above and entitled Mitzi...Zings Into Spring, released in 1977.

Pennies from Heaven, 1981

In 1982 Mackie received an <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/full-list-2021-oscar-nominations-academy-awards-mank-promising-young-woman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oscar nomination </a>for Best Costume Design for his work in the 1981 film Pennies from Heaven,&nbsp;starring Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, and Christopher Walken.

Cher at the 1986 Oscars.

Cher's fiery promotional look for "Cher...Special."

The designer and star attend the 1985 Met Gala.

Cher wears a shimmering lavendar gown for "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" in 1972.

Cher wears a costume to Mackie's Halloween party in 1988.

Mackie accompanies Cher to the "Romantic and Glamourous Design" exhibition in 1974.

Since 1972 Mackie has been <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/sheer-top-trend-long-sleeve-second-skin-y2k-90s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dressing</a> Cher in everything from lavender satin (see the fourth photo of Cher for this look from her show The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour in 1972) to Egyptian headdresses (see fifth photo of Cher at Bob Mackie's Halloween party in 1988). But his look for her 1986 Oscars appearance is truly one for the books.

Pitctured above is one of Mackie's many <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/mattel-launching-barbie-fashion-competition-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">glamorous Barbie dolls</a>. Each doll recieved its own title, this one is the Amethyst Aura Barbie. She is decked out in Swarovski crystals, richly tinted velvet, and satin fabrics. Her hair is even meticulously bedazzled with mini violet beads. These lavish details are a huge part of why Mackie's Barbie dolls are envied by collectors and fans alike today.&nbsp;

Carol &amp; Company, 1990

Possibly one of Mackie's longest lasting costume design collaborations was with The Carol Burnett Show. In 1991 his efforts in remaking the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-sneakers-spring-trendy-fashion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sartorial</a> image of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/keeping-up-with-the-kardashians-most-viral-moments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the series</a> was rewarded with an Emmy for Outstanding Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program. The award was shared with costume designer Ret Turner and for the episode "That Little Extra Something."

Bob Mackie's Flamboyant Fashion Legacy

Tags

Related Articles

Fashion

Bob Mackie To Receive the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award

Fashion

See the Fashion From the Nominees for Best Costume Design at the 2021 Oscars

Film & TV

'Mank' Costume Designer Trish Summerville on Designing for Real-Life Old Hollywood Figures

Recommended posts for you

Fashion

TikTok-Favorite Fashion Micro-Trends We’re Taking Into 2025

Pop culture

Holding Space for 2024's Best Viral Pop Culture Moments

Fashion

See How Fendi Did This Year's Holiday Capsule

Fashion

L’HISTOIRE: Carrie Bradshaw's Enduring 1998 Dior Newspaper Dress

Pop culture

2024's Biggest Celebrity Engagements: Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Chris Martin

Beauty

The Controversial Hair Trend Set to Rule 2025 — And How to Nail the Look

Fashion

L’HISTOIRE: Elizabeth Hurley's Risqué 1994 Versace Dress

Fashion

Every Time David Corenswet Stepped Out Looking Like Clark Kent