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Bob Mackie

American, b. 1939

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.

Average Sold Price
$1,524
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Vintage Bob Mackie Red Silk Dress With A V Shaped Waistline & Beads and Sequins
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This incredible vintage 1980's Bob Mackie Boutique vintage evening dress is such a good example of Mackie's attention to detail in his designs. The dress has a solid red silk crepe s...
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S/S 1997 Bob Mackie Runway Black Halterneck Satin Panel Backless Gown
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Presenting presents: a gorgeous black Bob Mackie halter neck gown. From the Spring/Summer 1997 collection, this classic and sexy gown debuted on the season’s...
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1980's Bob Mackie Ivory Embellished Sleeveless Gown
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1980's Bob Mackie ivory embellished sleeveless gown. Sleeveless white gown with beaded trim and beaded radiated stripe pattern throughout. Semi-sheer white mesh upper and back. Conce...
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Vintage 80s Bob Mackie Boutique Green Blue Fully Beaded Silk Evening Dress Gown
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Bob Mackie fashion for sale on 1stDibs.

Find an extraordinary range of authentic Bob Mackie fashion available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of red, blue, orange and other tones. Most of the items here were designed during the 20th Century, but you can find examples that were created as recently as the 21st Century and Contemporary. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Halston, James Galanos, and Galanos appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Bob Mackie fashion from top boutiques around the world. Bob Mackie fashion prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $136 and tops out at $15,000, while the average work can sell for $1,995.
Questions About Bob Mackie
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Yes, 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, 2024
    Yes, 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.

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