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.
BOB MACKIE signed vintage gold plated blue green crystal designer bracelet
By Bob Mackie
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed BOB MACKIE • gold plated with rhinestones • vintage designer bracelet MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear ...
$475 / item
H 0.16 in W 0.36 in L 11.42 in
Sterling Silver Bezel Set Purple Amethyst 5 Station Adjustable Bolo Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Experience the enchanting allure of our rhodium-plated .925 sterling silver bolo bracelet, designed to dazzle with its quintet of bezel-set purple amethysts. These majestic, natural ...
Amethyst, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Byzantine bracelet by Chanel, designed by Karl Lagerfeld, Autumn-Winter 1990
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - Fall/Winter 1990 Ready-to-Wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Rigid bracelet in gold-tone metal with glass cabochons. Made in France. Conditio...
Gilt Metal
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Escargot Fluted Round Gold Link Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Innovative in everything he does this David Webb yellow gold bracelet is no exception: Escargot fluted bombe link bracleet with a diamond paved center link will certainly end up on t...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$243 / item
H 0.12 in W 0.2 in L 6.97 in
10k Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver 1/10 Carat Real Diamond Link Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and timeless, this gorgeous .925 sterling silver bolo bracelet features 0.1 carat total weight of round, rose cut, promo quality diamonds with a whopping 24 stones in all. Ro...
Diamond, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, 10k Gold
$231 / item
H 0.08 in W 0.12 in L 7.25 in
.925 Sterling Silver 1/10 Cttw Miracle-Set Diamond Pear Shape Link Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Embellish your wrist with this exquisite .925 sterling silver diamond link bracelet. 1/10ct TDW of round cut diamonds glimmer in this design. Each link features a single miracle set ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Coral and Diamond 1960's Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
"Crafted in 18K Yelow gold this is a bright one line bracleet by Davdi Webb. Set with cabochon coral, round brilliant-cut diamonds, and roped gold. 7 inches long. "
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Retro 9k Yellow Gold Link Bracelet, Birmingham, 31.7g
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1960s 9 karat yellow gold bracelet; part of our diverse vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive vintage bracelet has been crafted in 9k yellow gold. The fully articulated bracelet is composed of twenty-eight rectangular links, embellished with a hand engraved floral design. The reverse of each individual link is hallmarked with the 9k gold fineness mark (9.375). The bracelet secures with a discreet integrated push fit clasp and benefits from the additional security of a fine link safety chain and catch. The push fit clasp is hallmarked to the reverse with partially worn but legible marks, including the maker's mark for T&H Crathorn Ltd (T&HC), the 9k gold fineness mark (9.375) and the Birmingham Assay Office hallmark (anchor). The catch to the safety chain is struck with the mark for 9k gold (9CT). Condition This impressive vintage yellow gold bracelet...
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
David Webb Platinum and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Blue Enamel and Diamond Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Diamond, enamel and eighteen karat gold bracelet, David Webb convex diamond shape links in blue enamel highlighted by round brilliant-cut diamond set links; estimated total diamond w...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
David Webb Platinum and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Blue Enamel and Diamond Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Diamond, enamel and eighteen karat gold bracelet, David Webb convex diamond shape links in blue enamel highlighted by round brilliant-cut diamond set links; estimated total diamond w...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold White enamel Open Link Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Discover the epitome of luxury with the David Webb Yellow Gold Fluted Enamel Bracelet, a true testament to the brand's iconic craftsmanship. This masterpiece is artistry personified,...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Vintage Calvin Diné Sterling Silver Greek Key Link Bracelet 7.25" RARE Native
Located in Addison, TX
Details Designer: Calvin Diné Metal: Sterling Silver Metal Purity: 925 Hallmarks: Calvin, Sterling, Diné Style: Hinged Link Bracelet Design: Greek Key / Meander Motif Link Style: Rec...
Silver, Sterling Silver
8.2 Carat Green Tsavorite and Diamond Bracelet
Located in Great Neck, NY
This stunning Tsavorite & White Diamond bracelet features 11 clusters of Green Tsavorites (5.39 carats), comprising each of 4 princess cut green tsavorites in an invisible setting su...
Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bob Mackie Crystal Encrusted Bangle Bracelet c 1990s
By Bob Mackie
Located in University City, MO
Bob Mackie Crystal encrusted bangle bracelet. The elegant art deco inspired bracelet is embellished with brilliant ruby, jet & diamante crystals The glittering crystals are designed...