Vintage 1982 Bob Mackie Couture Lightning Bolt Black & Red Beaded Fringe Dress
View Similar Items
Vintage 1982 Bob Mackie Couture Lightning Bolt Black & Red Beaded Fringe Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 36 in (91.44 cm)Marked Size: 4 (US)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)Hip: 37 in (93.98 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU30911544232
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 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 1970s Madame Grès Haute Couture Beaded Berry Motif Navy Sheer Silk GownLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous Madame Gres haute couture two-piece dress ensemble dating back to the mid 1970's. Madame Gres felt that the true job of the couturier was not to create a name for one's self, as many designers do, but to pay rigorous attention to the clothing. This stunning navy-blue sheer silk organza dress has so much detail, you can tell it was made with loving devotion. The bodice is a unique cap-sleeve hourglass nipped-waist design with figure flattering attached sash-belt. The sash can be wrapped around in a cummerbund style or pulled back as a waist-tie. The sparkling holly berry novelty hand-done bead work really makes this piece modern and relevant. The work itself must have taken weeks. The full swing-skirt finished this dress off with an effortless romantic vibe. Grès had an extraordinarily long career, working until the late 1980's. Through each decade, which encompassed huge changes in fashion, her work remained consistent and timeless. Any one of her elegant gowns...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Plaid Print Cotton Strapless Shelf-Bust Bustle Full Dress & ShawlLocated in Beverly Hills, CAIn this gorgeous 1950's graphic plaid party dress ensemble, the detailed construction and meticulous attention to detail are comparable to what you will find in modern couture. This ...Category
1950s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1978 Lanvin Couture Black Sheer Silk & Stripe Velvet Billow-Sleeve GownBy Lanvin ParisLocated in Beverly Hills, CAThis extremely gorgeous Lanvin Couture sheer silk chiffon dress from their 1978 fall-winter collection is a statement piece. I love the beautiful bohemian chic vibe mixed with an elegant refinement. The striped velvet trim adds the perfect amount of color to the garment. The bodice has a stunning ruffle collar with dramatic billow-sleeves. Shaped with an elastic band, the figure flattering cut adds a sophisticated blousy nature while still showcasing your waistline. Under the direction of Jules Francois-Crahay, Lanvin was a playground for imagination. This vibrant primary hues is the perfect example of this. Lanvin may be the oldest fashion house in Paris, but it has also managed to remain one of the most relevant. Through many years and many designers, it has stayed true to the vision of its founder, Madame Jeanne...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1979 Givenchy Haute-Couture Metallic Gold & Black Burnout Velvet DressBy GivenchyLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGivenchy, the name itself evokes glamour, refined elegance, simplicity and style. Givenchy's trademark of sculpted lines and luxurious fabrics make his work easily recognizable. This gorgeous cocktail dress, dating back to his 1979 collection, is a beautiful example of his brilliance. The fabric itself is a masterpiece; metallic gold and black graphic illusion burnout silk velvet. I adore the elegant slight-puff shoulder billow bodice with lean, long zipper-wrist sleeves. The five-inch long cummerbund nipped waist adds the perfect amount of drama to this timeless beauty. The a-line skirting, with flattering tiered ruffle detail, finishes this garment off with a perfect "femme fatale" vibe. As Givenchy said, "The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress." Measurements Bust:33-34 inches Waist:25 inches Hips:36 inches Sleeve Length:24 inches Total Length:40 inches This vintage Givenchy numbered...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1973 Chanel Haute Couture Guipure Knit Lace and Silk Velvet Black DressBy ChanelLocated in Beverly Hills, CAChanel is known to be one of the most luxurious and decadent fashion houses in the world. This breathtaking black guipure crochet-lace and velvet cocktail dress from their 1973 Fall/...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHAlaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- ALBERTO BINI 1990 leather mini dress with gold tone Lion NEW with tagBy AlbertoLocated in Genève, CHThis vintage dress from Alberto Bini is coming directly from the 90s, and it's also a beautiful ode to Versace universe. -Lion detail in metal gold tone ...Category
1980s French Mini Dress
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Vintage Off-Shoulder Black Dress 1990sBy Chanel BoutiqueLocated in Berlin, BEThe perfect little black vintage dress by Chanel. This classic beauty is a 1990s piece designed by Karl Lagerfeld. This elegant Chanel dress is an incredible classic that will truly...Category
1990s French Mini Dresses
- Gianni Versace 1997 Couture fall black leather gownBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHGianni Versace was an influential Italian fashion designer who founded the Versace brand. In the fall of 1997, he presented his couture collection in Paris, which was widely acclaimed for its opulent fabrics, bold prints, and intricate detailing. The collection featured several notable pieces, such as a black evening gown with a plunging neckline and a gold-encrusted jacket. However, just a few days later, on July 15th, 1997, Gianni was tragically murdered outside his Miami Beach home. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to the world of fashion continue to be celebrated, and his legacy remains an inspiration too many. This collection is iconic as it’s the final collection before his passing. The collection very much showed a new direction for the house. Which was heading away from the bombshell curves and souped-up sex appeal that the house previously focussed on. But took more Inspirations to the new wave John Galliano and Mcqueen were leading. MET Gala: Salma Hayek y sus mejores momentos en la alfombra roja Vogue For the 1997 Met Gala Salma Hayek wore a very similar Gianni Versace look...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Ossie Clark angel-sleeve drawstring dress with print by Celia Birtwell, ss 1971By Ossie ClarkLocated in London, GB▪ Ossie Clark angel-sleeve dress ▪ 'Busy Lizzie' floral print by Celia Birtwell ▪ Pink and green with black ground ▪ Loose fit ▪ Drawstring fastening a...Category
1970s British Day Dresses
- Gucci by Tom Ford bottle green pintuck leather shift dress, fw 1999By Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in London, GB▪ Gucci bottle green leather shift dress ▪ Designed by Tom Ford ▪ Pintuck detail ▪ Three-quarter circular flounce sleeves ▪ Black leather rosette on sle...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
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.