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 vintage signed gold tone faux coral dangle designer clip earrings
By Bob Mackie
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed BOB MACKIE • gold tone with faux coral and rhinestones • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal sign...
BOB MACKIE signed gold pearl designer runway clip on earrings
By Bob Mackie
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed BOB MACKIE • gold tone with white faux pearls • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of w...
Chanel Red Gripoix Gold Clip Earrings With Original Box.
By Chanel
Located in Buchanan, MI
Chanel red poured glass, gripoix, and gold cc metal clip on earrings. They come with original box. Stones have internal inclusions to appear to be natural stones.
$350
H 1.75 in W 1.45 in D 0.5 in
1980s Large Gold Plated Red Pink Clear Rhinestone Door Knocker Clip On Earrings
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Givenchy style 1980s door knocker clip on earrings made of gold plated metal with glass stones that resemble diamonds, rubies and pink tourmaline. The ...
Gold Plate
Mexican Sterling Silver Knot Clip-on Earrings
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Pair of vintage Mexico Mexican knot design clip on earrings marked 925 Mexico Nestor TJ24.
Sterling Silver
$300
W 1.25 in L 1.25 in
Miriam Haskell Vintage Clip-On Earrings 1950s Floral with Faux Pearls Rhinestone
Located in Milford, DE
Miriam Haskell Vintage Clip-On Earrings – 1950s Floral with Faux Pearls & Rhinestones Designer Miriam Haskell Place of Origin: United States Period: Circa 1950s Dimensions: Appro...
Crystal
Unique French Jeweled Elephant Dangle Earrigs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Unique and intricately crafted in France, these bold Hanna Bernhard statement clip-on earrings feature oversized gold-plated elephants lavishly embellished with a dazzling array of S...
Chanel Gold Quilted Hoop Clip On Earrings
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
These authentic Chanel Gold Quilted Hoop Clip On Earrings are in excellent vintage condition from the 1980’s. Large front facing gold hoops are etched with signature Chanel quilting...
$150
W 0.63 in D 0.18 in L 2.25 in
Mid 20th Century Panetta Faux Diamond Crystal Clip on Two Dangle Drop Earrings
By Panetta
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Panetta is truly one of the best of the great pretenders. His costume pieces are finely made to give you the look of real at the price of costume. In these mid 20th century clip on earrings Panetta uses clear crystals to create a fake diamond drop dangle earring. He finishes them off by rhodium plating the base metal. Perfect for an evening on the town. Signed on back. They are signed Panetta on the back. Panetta History from Nasvete Benedetto Panetta, another Italian, wrote his name in the history of jewelry. Born in Italy, he moved to America in 1901. Being a jeweler, he first worked in small companies, but then there was a fateful meeting with a fellow countryman, and Benedetto became a designer at Trifari. In those days, Trifary was already a large and very prestigious manufactory. Having received invaluable experience, in 1945, Benedetto opens his own company “Panetta”. From the very beginning, Benedetto set a goal, to erase the line between precious jewelry and costume jewelry. According to Panetta, ornaments should look real. And I must say Benedetto succeeded in it. PANETTA jewelry...
Crystal, Base Metal
Kramer Faux Jade and Rhinestone Costume Earrings
By Kramer
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Kramer clip-back earrings featuring prong-set clear rhinestones surrounding a green glass bead that resembles jade or malachite. The stones are set in white metal. Kramer oval tag a...
Vintage Chanel Jumbo Black Leather and Gold Tone Earrings 1 13/16 inch
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
These Vintage Chanel Jumbo Black Leather and Gold Tone earrings are for the lady who likes to make a big statement. They measure just under 1 7/8 inches in diameter. From the Chanel 29...
Sterling Bubble Clip-on Earrings by Sam Philipe
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Fun three dimensional bubble clip-on sterling earrings made Sam Philipe. Marked 925 and signed Sam Philipe
Sterling Silver
Marquise and Round Crystal Cluster Clip on Earrings and Pin in Silver, Vintage
Located in Milford, DE
A stylish pair of vintage earrings and a round wreath pin, featuring round and marquise-cut clear crystals on a silvertone setting. Hallmarks: n/a Brooch: 2.6 in / 6.7 cm Earring: ...
Crystal
Faux Gemstone Gold-tone Earrings and Station Chain Link Necklace
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Goldtone chain link necklace with line design on links, accented with oval faux-carnelian and faux-emerald cabochon centers. Matching oval faux-emerald earrings with clip backs. Earr...
Gilt Metal