Bob Mackie Brooches
Vintage Bob Mackie dresses are a fashion favorite, and with good reason. The legendary Monterey, California–born fashion designer has accrued an enviable list of awards that speak to his unparalleled influence on costumes for screen and theatrical performances: Mackie has nine Emmy awards to his name, a Tony award, a CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, three Academy Award nominations and more.
As a child, Bob Mackie was enamored of Portuguese-born Brazilian dancer and actress Carmen Miranda. The love of film shared by his sister and mother proved contagious for Mackie, and he marveled at the richness and beauty he found in ballet. He wasn’t interested in fashion so much as he was in entertainment and went on to fortunately find work in television during the 1960s, specifically in programming that seemed to encompass all of what he’d grown to love about the arts.
As a fashion sketch artist, Mackie collaborated with Hollywood’s greatest costume designers, working with the legendary Edith Head at Paramount Studios as soon as he’d finished school. From there, he secured work with French-born, Hollywood costume designer Jean Louis, sketching the iconic Louis dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to John F. Kennedy in 1962.
Mackie would spend most of his career as a costume designer, creating iconic pieces like the Gone With the Wind parody costume (currently in the Smithsonian) for The Carol Burnett Show — where he worked for more than a decade — and campy, opulent dresses for The Cher Show on Broadway, for which he won the Tony award (he also designed bedazzled stage costumes for Sonny and Cher's 1976–77 run at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe). But he had a considerable influence on mainstream fashion as well.
The figure-hugging, feathered and fringed gowns and cocktail dresses Mackie created were worn by stars like Cher and Diana Ross on the red carpet and concert tours. Similar designs of his — dazzling evening dresses of black or vibrant red silk, some beaded with rhinestones or embellished with ostrich feathers or navy blue sequins — made their way into his mainstream fashion collection. His ready-to-wear line debuted in 1982.
Bob Mackie has always said that his clothing was “for the woman who is not afraid to be noticed,” and any woman in one of his signature dresses would definitely turn heads. There is sparkle and an element of grandeur in his garments, whether they were crafted for singer Elton John, a universally renowned fashion icon in his own right, or the woman next door, donning one of Mackie’s spectacular creations and feeling like a movie star herself.
Shop vintage Bob Mackie day dresses, suits and more on 1stDibs.
Late 20th Century Modernist Bob Mackie Brooches
Gold Plate, Enamel
20th Century American Bob Mackie Brooches
Enamel
20th Century American Bob Mackie Brooches
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Bob Mackie Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Modern Bob Mackie Brooches
18k Gold, Silver
20th Century French Bob Mackie Brooches
Gilt Metal
1950s American Art Nouveau Vintage Bob Mackie Brooches
Gold Plate
1990s Spanish Art Nouveau Bob Mackie Brooches
Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
1960s French Byzantine Vintage Bob Mackie Brooches
Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Early 2000s French Modern Bob Mackie Brooches
19th Century British Victorian Antique Bob Mackie Brooches
Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bob Mackie Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Bob Mackie Brooches
Enamel, Gilt Metal
1970s French Modernist Vintage Bob Mackie Brooches
Late 20th Century Aesthetic Movement Bob Mackie Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Bob Mackie Brooches
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Bob Mackie Brooches
Late 20th Century Modern Bob Mackie Brooches
Enamel
20th Century American Bob Mackie Brooches
1980s American Modern Vintage Bob Mackie Brooches
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Bob Mackie Brooches
1980s American Vintage Bob Mackie Brooches
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Bob Mackie Brooches
1980s American Vintage Bob Mackie Brooches
Bob Mackie brooches for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Bob Mackie
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Bob Mackie still designs clothes as of December 2021. He produces apparel for the Wearable Art by Bob Mackie for QVC collection. In addition, he sometimes works as a costume designer for films, theater and television. Find a collection of Bob Mackie on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024Yes, Bob Mackie designed for Marilyn Monroe. Notably, the American fashion designer was responsible for creating the slinky gown that the actress wore when she sang "Happy Birthday" to then-president John F. Kennedy in 1962. Mackie also produced dresses for celebrities such as Lucille Ball, Carol Channing, Cher, Doris Day, Marlene Dietrich and Farrah Fawcett. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Bob Mackie apparel.