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.
Sensational Vintage Bob Mackie Black and Silver 80s Heavily Beaded Dramatic Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Exceptional vintage 1980s BOB MACKIE black, silver and white heavily beaded and sequined nigh neck evening dress! Features thousands of hand-sewn sequins and beads throughout the bod...
1980s Bob Mackie Couture Emerald Green Chiffon Leather Leaf 80s Grecian Gown 6
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Quite possibly my favorite BOB MACKIE Couture dress EVER! I cannot even begin to describe this beauty! Beautiful emerald green silk with black silk chiffon overlay. Features a conver...
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 14 Black Velvet 1990s Sleeveless Sweetheart 90s Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage 90s BOB MACKIE black velvet sleeveless evening gown! Features a flattering satin lined sweetheart neckline and a thigh high slit that...
NWT Vintage Bob Mackie Size 8 Black and White Color Block Sleeveless Gown Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and flattering brand new with original store tags vintage BOB MACKIE black and white color block Size 8 evening gown! Features blak crepe at bust, white crepe at waist, and...
Bob Mackie 1970s Lipstick Red Silk Moire 70s Vintage Strapless Evening Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning late 1970s BOB MACKIE for NEIMAN MARCUS lipstick red silk moire strapless evening dress! Perfectly tailored corset bodice, and full free skirt are extremely flattering, and ...
Bob Mackie Size 10 / 12 Vintage Green Yellow Red Black Amazing Strapless Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and incredible vintage BOB MACKIE strapless dress! Features slimming red, yellow, black and green vertical stripes up the front, with a...
Late 1970s Bob Mackie Rare Sequin + Ribbons Vintage 70s Strapless Silk Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic rare late 1970s BOB MACKIE black silk strapless cocktail dress! Features hundreds of hand-sewn sequins throughout the front and back bodice...
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 8 / 10 Black and Pink Beaded French Lace Evening Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous vintage BOB MACKIE black and pink beaded French lace evening gown! Features a light pink taffeta underlay. Black French lace covers the pink, and a semi sheer black chiffon ...
1960S BOB MACKIE Pink, Yellow, & Green Sequin Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in New York, NY
1960S BOB MACKIE Pink, Yellow, & Green Sequin Dress
Vintage Bob Mackie 1990s Size 6 Black, White and Blue Silk Fit n' Flare Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful early 1990s BOB MACKIE black, white and blue silk sequined and beaded fit n' flare short sleeve dress! Features a fitted black bodice, with a full ivory skirt. Thousands of...
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 8 / 10 Nude Gold Champagne Sequined 1990s Gown and Shawl
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 90s BOB MACKIE gold and champagne sequined evening dress and matching shawl! Features leaf motifs with hundreds of hand-sewn iridescent sequi...
Bob Mackie Vintage Couture Custom Made Black Silk Sequin Beaded Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Exceptional vintage BOB MACKIE Couture CUSTOM MADE evening dress! This beauty is one-of-a-kind, and was made for one of Mackie's personal close friends,...
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 4 / 6 Navy Blue Beaded Sequin Strapless Evening Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage BOB MACKIE navy blue strapless beaded and sequinened Grecian inspired evening dress! Features hundreds of beads sewn onto navy a navy mesh, with a boned nude underla...
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 10 / 12 Black Illusion Sequin Beaded Little Black Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic vintage BOB MACKIE 1980s / 80s nude illusion little black dress! Incredible body huggin fit. Tailored bodice with sleek tailored long sleeves. Cut-outs above the bust and should...
1980S BOB MACKIE Black & Cream Lace Gown With Fab Bow Sleeves
By Bob Mackie
Located in New York, NY
1980S BOB MACKIE Black & Cream Lace Gown With Fab Bow Sleeves
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 8 Black 1990s Silk Chiffon Beaded Hi - Lo 90s Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage 90s BOB MACKIE black silk chiffon hi-lo dress! Hundreds of hand-sewn silver beads throughout. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and...
Vintage Bob Mackie S/S 1997 White Gown with White Beaded Bodice
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your bridal style with our Bob Mackie White Gown. This off-shoulder gown features a stunning beaded, sequin, and pearl ornamented bodice ...
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 12 Black + Nude Lace Crepe Off - Shoulder 1990s Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage 90s BOB MACKIE Size 14 (runs true to size) black and nude lace + crepe cocktail off-the-shoulder 3/4 sleeves dress! Features a fit...
1980s Bob Mackie Beaded Cutout Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 1980s Bob Mackie Beaded Cutout Dress: This dress is just Bob Mackie doing what the iconic Bob Mackie does best! Made in the 1980s, it features a mesh cutout at the waist, with intricate beading forming a lattice pattern. The dress itself is an incredibly well-tailored black wool sheath dress...
Size: 10
Jean Paul Gaultier Maxi Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk jersey dress from Jean Paul Gaultier. It is semi fitted with a bateau neckline and a gradated draped ruffle wider at the front shoulder then narrowing to the h...
Alexander McQueen Geometric Color Block Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful dress from Alexander McQueen in back and beige stretch bandage fabric. It is sleeveless with a V neck flattering with the strategically placed lines of beige cinching th...
Size: Italian Sz 38
New Rare Salvatore Ferragamo Red Silk Dress F/W 2018 With Tags $3200 Sz 38
By Salvatore Ferragamo
Located in Conroe, TX
Salvatore Ferragamo Brand New With Tags F/W 2018 * Retail $3200 * Stunning Deep Red Wine * IT 38. This is Square Shaped. Easily fits sizes 2-12 U.S. The Belt Gathers the Dress Per ...
Size: vintage 8; compare to size XS-S
Ceil Chapman Burgundy Velvet Quilted Metallic Brocade Day Dress - XS 1960s
By Ceil Chapman
Located in Tucson, AZ
Painfully good, from its rich color to its quilted skirt to its crisp A-line silhouette. The alluring keyhole neckline can be worn closed during the day and open at night for two dif...
Vintage Moroccan Kaftan Green Maxi Dress circa 1970 Size L
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Elegant vintage Moroccan green caftan, poly jersey embroidered with black and gold threads design all-over. You could wear this maxi dress kaftan closed ...
Size: FR 2 (Vintage)
A/W 1973 LEONARD Fashion Paris 'Gringo' Signature Print Pink Brown Jersey Dress
By Daniel Tribouillard, Leonard Fashion
Located in Munich, DE
This is a stunning documented Leonard Fashion Paris jersey dress from the house’s Autumn/Winter 1973 'VIZIR' collection. The print is titled 'Gri...
1960s Courreges Haute Couture Orange A-line Sleeveless Wool Maxi Dress
By André Courrèges, Courrèges
Located in Boca Raton, FL
A rare original 1960s Courreges numbered couture bright orange wool sculpted A-line shift dress. This outstanding dress is fashioned from a wool gabardi...
1980s Lily Rubin Carwash Dress
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
These photos do no justice to the movement of this incredible 1980s Lily Rubin Dress! Covered in long strips of black carwash style fabric. Flattering empir...
Christian Dior New Silk Dress S/S 2015
By Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful yellow silk gown dress from Christian Dior. It is sleeveless and has a crew neckline with tucks around it's circumference opening to the ...
2000s Anthony Vaccarello for Versus Versace Strapless Dress
By Versace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Sexiest Cocktail Dress Is Here! Circa late 2000s, this dress is designed by Anthony Vaccarello who created a capsule collection for Versus Versace from 2014-2016. This mini strap...
Tom Ford for Gucci New Silk Velvet Dress F/W 2001
By Tom Ford, Gucci
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous black silk velvet dress from Gucci as worn in a 2001 ad campaign. It has a square neckline with the center bust highlighted with sheer areas which contrast with the rich v...
Mermaid Romantic Gothic 1930s Gown and Broiderie Anglaise Jacket
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous black silk 1930's gown with incredible seaming and lines plus a white broiderie anglaise bolero jacket. The dress skims the body with a front V neckline, sides gathered on...
1980's Vintage Bob Mackie White Gown with White Beaded Bodice
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your bridal style with our 1980's Bob Mackie White Gown. This off-shoulder gown features a stunning beaded bodice and a sweetheart cup, p...
1980S BOB MACKIE Multicolor Abstract Beaded Short Cocktail Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in New York, NY
1980S BOB MACKIE Multicolor Abstract Beaded Short Cocktail Dress
BOB MACKIE Bishop Sleeves Wrap Dress with Zipper Back, Creamsicle Orange, c.1970
By Bob Mackie
Located in Kingston, NY
BOB MACKIE, bishop sleeves, wrap dress with zipper back, creamsicle orange, circa 1970s This vintage dress was a collaboration with Ray Aghayah who was Bob Mackie's partner up to t...
1970S BOB MACKIE Gold Beaded Mini Cocktail Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in New York, NY
1970S BOB MACKIE Gold Beaded Mini Cocktail Dress
Size: Medium
90s Bob Mackie Black Beaded Racer Back Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
90s Bob Mackie Black crepe beaded racer back gown. Perfect for black tie or bridal. Fit size 4-6 Measurement : Bust: 34”/ Waist 32” / Hip 38.5/
1980S BOB MACKIE Beige & White Silk Chiffon Handbeaded Floor Length Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in New York, NY
1980S BOB MACKIE Beige & White Silk Chiffon Handbeaded Floor Length Gown
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 4 / 6 Black Nude Lace Sequin Sexy Plunging Mini Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Sexy vintage BOB MACKIE black, nude and silver strapless silk, lace, and sequins mini dress! Features the couture quality one would expect from the legendary designer. Boned plunging...
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 12 90s Blue Silk Strapless 1990s Evening Gown Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible vintage 1980s BOB MACKIE blue Size 12 strapless silk crepe gown! This dress is spectacular in person! Super flattering, and the perfect shad...
Vintage Bob Mackie Size 8 Grey Beaded 1990s Sequin Sleeveless 90s Evening Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage BOB MACKIE mid 1990s gray beaded / sequined silk and mesh sleeveless gown! I don’t know which is better, the front or the back. Front bodice features a draped Greci...
1990s Bob Mackie Vintage Black Beaded Long Sleeve Dress with Cut Out Midriff
By Bob Mackie
Located in Sparks, NV
Sexy and chic vintage 1990s black knit cocktail dress by Bob Mackie with long sleeves and a beaded cut out mesh midriff with a scalloped lattice design. Partially lined with rear zip...
Vintage 1980's BOB MACKIE Size L Black Jersey Red Beaded Neck Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage 1980's BOB MACKIE dress comes in black jersey knit with a shift silhouette, red beaded stand up collar with V panel and layered sleeves with red...
Vintage Bob Mackie Plus Size 1990s Black + Silver Rhinestone Long Sleeve Dress
By Bob Mackie
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing vintage BOB MACKIE plus size black long sleeve dress! Features hand-sewn rhinestones and beads with silver threading. One pocket at the left side of the hip. Hidden zipper up...