Vintage 1979 Bob Mackie Couture Metallic Ivory Gold Sari-Silk Strapless Gown
View Similar Items
Vintage 1979 Bob Mackie Couture Metallic Ivory Gold Sari-Silk Strapless Gown
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 25 in (63.5 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Style:Strapless (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk, Sari, Metallic
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3092914773
Bob Mackie
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.
- Vintage 1940's French Couture Iridescent Ivory Gold Sequin Silk Draped GownLocated in Beverly Hills, CASparkling gowns from the early 1940's era are perennial favorites and this French couture showstopper is breathtaking. The garment's simple fluid structur...Category
1940s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1970's Embroidered Patchwork Cotton Maxi Dress Worn By Zsa Zsa GaborLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA vibrant, early 1970's Joann Lopez designer embroidered cotton dress straight from Zsa Zsa Gabor's wardrobe. This dress dates back to the h...Category
1970s American Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Vintage 1970s Givenchy Colorful Stripe Silk-Chiffon Billow Sleeve Bohemian DressBy Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique, GivenchyLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGivenchy, the name itself evokes glamour, refined elegance, simplicity and style. Givenchy’s trademark of flowing lines and print fabrics make his work easily recognizable. This gorg...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1930s Worth Haute Couture Beaded Black Velvet & Silk Billow-Sleeve DressBy House of WorthLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThis superlative couture beaded art-deco dress by The House of Worth is in a class of its own. Charles Frederick Worth died in 1895, when Jean-Philippe ...Category
1930s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1970 Mainbocher Couture Vogue Documented Hot Pink Flocked Silk DressBy MainbocherLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous Mainbocher couture shocking pink abstract floral dress dating back to his 1970 collection. As shown, this design was modeled by Loulou de la Falaise for Vogue magazine. Mainbocher was a well-respected couturier who operated fashion houses in Paris and later New York from the 1930's through the 1970's. Mainbocher's arrival in New York coincided perfectly with the city élite's love for French couture, for though he epitomized it, he satisfied their patriotism because he was actually an American. The integrity of luxurious fabrics, intricate cut, quality workmanship were cherished by Mainbocher's upper crust customers. This mid 1960's dress is a perfect example of his genius. The fabric is a lush mid-weight velvet flocked silk satin. The 3/4-length sleeve buttons down bodice really compliments the classic nipped-waist silhouette. The dress can even be worn as a dramatic jacket if you choose to leave it unbuttoned. You get the effect of elegance and edgy at the same time. I love the sculpted mermaid skirting which really moves beautifully when worn. As Mainbocher once said "I have never known a really chic...Category
1970s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Jeanne Lafaurie Couture Watercolor Floral Silk Strapless GownLocated in Beverly Hills, CABreathtaking Jeanne Lafaurie Couture watercolor garden two-piece gown ensemble dating back to the mid 1950's era of fashion. Jeanne Lafaurie was a Pari...Category
1950s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage Moroccan Kaftan, Gold and Sage Damask Embroidered, ca. 1970sLocated in North Hollywood, CAAmazing vintage Moroccan Caftan, gold damask with gold and sage rim threads, Circa 1970's One of a kind evening antique Moorish gown. This authentic caftan has been hand-sewn from da...Category
20th Century Moroccan Caftans
$680 Sale Price20% Off - Moroccan Metallic Gold Brocade Kaftan, Maxi Dress Kaftan from Morocco, AfricaLocated in North Hollywood, CAMetallic gold brocade maxi dress kaftan handmade by Moroccan artist. Handmade vintage exotic 1970s gold metallic brocade ceremonial caftan gown from North Africa, Morocco. The lumino...Category
20th Century Moroccan Kaftans
$680 Sale Price20% Off - Moroccan Vintage Caftan in Gold Metallic Brocade, Maxi Gown Dress KaftanLocated in North Hollywood, CAMoroccan vintage gold and silver metallic floral brocade dress kaftan with gold trim. Handmade ceremonial caftan from North Africa, Morocco. Vintage exotic 1970s metallic brocade caf...Category
1970s Moroccan Caftans
$760 Sale Price20% Off - Naeem Khan Beaded Gold Fitted Cocktail Dress US4By Naeem KhanLocated in Brossard, QCNaeem Khan cocktail dress with allover mixed beading. Bateau neckline. Three-quarter sleeves. Fitted silhouette. Hidden back zip. Nylon; lining, silk. Made in USA of imported material.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Dresses
- 1950s Rose Gold Embroidered Silk DressLocated in London, GBBeautiful original vintage 1950s American made dress in antique rose gold satin with all over embroidery. This lovely piece features three quarter length sleeves, a sweetheart neckl...Category
1950s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Sultana / Adini Silver and Gold Metallic Silk Crochet Short Sleeve DressBy SultanaLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing, brand new with original store tags, SULTANA / ADINI silver and gold metallic short sleeve dress! Super rare, hard-to-find India designer dress. Features zig-zag stripes, with semi-sheer crochet detail throughout. Slight puff sleeves, with and elastic waistband to fit most sizes. Boho style, that looks great alone, or belted, and can easily transition from day to night. Great with sandals, flats, boots, wedges, or heels. Also, great as a swimsuit coverup...Category
1990s American Cocktail Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
This Red-Sequined Stunner Proves That No One Bedazzles a Gown Like Bob Mackie
The designer, who has created looks for style icons like Cher and Barbie, knows how to make a statement dress.
This Two-Piece Beaded Gown by Puerto Rican Designer David Fernandez Is the Embodiment of 1970s Glam
On the Met Gala red carpet, this vintage ensemble would bring the heat.