Bob Mackie Black Gown W/Beaded Illusion Bodice
View Similar Items
Bob Mackie Black Gown W/Beaded Illusion Bodice
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Bust: 35 in (88.9 cm)Hip: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Silk, beading
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Alford, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120918209315
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.
- 1980s Sequin and Satin Cocktail DressBy Saks Fifth AvenueLocated in Alford, MACocktail dress featuring an all-over black sequin bodice and a gunmetal satin skirt, the bodice with jewel neckline and long sleeves, the satin skirt with box pleats sewn down with a...Category
Late 20th Century Indian Evening Dresses
- Louis Feraud 1980s Bustier and Skirt SetBy Louis FeraudLocated in Alford, MAQuintessential 1980s aesthetic defines this outfit from Louis Feraud, its brightly colored print bustier dominated by gambling motifs appliquéd and embroidered on a red satin ground...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Pauline Trigère Black Wool and Silk DressBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Alford, MAPauline Trigère was known for her architectural designs, as exhibited here in a LBD from the latter part of her career. The narrow simple shape of the body in black wool crepe contra...Category
Late 20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
- Lilli Diamond Black Sheath with Rhinestones StarburstsBy Lilli DiamondLocated in Alford, MA1960s black crepe sheath from Lilli Diamond, one of California's foremost manufacturers during the mid-twentieth century. The simple tank shape hugs the body and is embellished with ...Category
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
- Anne Fogarty Print Maxi DressBy Anne FogartyLocated in Alford, MAAnne Fogarty maxi dress featuring a scooped and ruffled neckline, cap sleeves, and empire waist fastened with a black velvet sash; one deep and one shallow ruffle at hem complement t...Category
1960s American Maxi Dress
- Hanae Mori Butterfly DressBy Hanae MoriLocated in Alford, MAHanae Mori evening dress of black silk, the bodice fashioned of a black-on-black butterfly design embellished with pastel beaded butterflies. Dropped waist, high neck, and long sleev...Category
Late 20th Century French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace F/W 1993 Runway Couture Sheer Knit Mesh Lace Evening Dress GownBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Naples, FLGianni Versace F/W 1993 Runway Couture Sheer Knit Mesh Lace Bustier Black Evening Dress Gown IT 44 Excellent Condition!Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- The little black dress by Chanel black and white silk Sculpted figureLocated in Bilbao, ESAbsence of vulgarity was central to Chanel’s definition of luxury, a view formed during her impoverished early life. Born in 1883 in Saumur, France, as Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, she was just 12 years old when her mother died and her itinerant father put her in a home for orphaned girls run by a local convent. She learned to sew and, upon moving to Moulins six years later, became a seamstress. She also sang in nightclubs, earning the sobriquet “Coco,” an allusion to a popular song of the time. Beautiful, one of a kind vintage silk dress and jacket for everyday ware as a coktail dress...Category
1990s Aesthetic Evening Dresses
$2,730 Sale Price32% Off - F/2012 look # 6 NEW VERSACE MACRAME GOTHIC CROSS COCKTAIL SILK DRESS 38 - 2By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Actual Runway Samole Fall/Winter 2012 Look # 6 Macrame Gothic Cross Cocktail Dress This long sleeve, turtle neck cocktail dress features an allover macrame Gothic cross...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil Cutout Leather Mesh Bodycon DressBy Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in Naples, FLJean Paul Gaultier Soleil Leather and Mesh Cutout Bodycon DressCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Azzedine Alaïa F/W 2001 Vintage Halter Backless Black Gown Maxi DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaïa 2001 Vintage Halter Backless Black Gown Maxi Dress Size XS Alaïa black maxi dress featuring halter neckline, open back. flared hem with trai...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Roger Freres Black Lace and Green Silk Taffeta Gown-10-Circa 70'sBy Roger FreresLocated in West Palm Beach, FLRoger Freres Black Lace and Green Silk Taffeta Gown - Sz 10 - Circa 70's Additional Measurements: Bust 40" Waist 30" Shoulder to Shoulder 16" Sleeve length 25" Length 59"Category
1970s French Evening Gowns