Last week, Zendaya honoured Cher’s iconic and eclectic style by taking a vintage Bob Mackie gown for a spin when headed to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to honour the latter. News to no one, Cher has worn numerous Mackie creations during the ’70s and ’80s, making her a well-known Bob Mackie muse for decades. This time around, Zendaya worked with her stylist Law Roach for her ‘barely-there’ golden gown that was a part of the ‘Foreign Intrigue’ collection from autumn 2001.
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Amidst the changing tides and dominance of fad culture, celebrities still wear and appreciate Bob Mackie, who has clearly stood the test of time. There’s no LVMH / Kering backing to fund the brand; its rootedness and deterrence to compromise on its vastly established aesthetic is why, in my opinion, the clothes are still relevant today. And of course, his loyal patrons. His influence will always be seen in Hollywood, from Anya Taylor Joy’s vintage white gown for the Emma promotions to Sabrina Carpenter’s stage costume modelled after Madonna’s iconic look.
He also has a Tony, nine Emmys, and three Oscar nominations. Damn.
A Look Back
Mackie was well-known at a fairly young age. Following brief spells at Pasadena City College and the prestigious Chouinard Art Institute, as well as fantasising about one-man shows in his bedroom in California, Mackie made the decision that he was ready to showcase his abilities to the world. All Bob Mackie needed was a pencil and paper to draw a gown, one that would go down as one of the most iconic sartorial pieces to date, to be worn by Marilyn Monroe and covered in crystals.
Also known as the ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. President’ outfit. And boy did he not see that coming. Approximately a week after sketching the gown, Marilyn singing “Happy Birthday” was featured in the newspaper, and the news was covered extensively. He had struck gold. Platinum maybe? Whatever’s costlier.
Both Bob Mackie and Cher were still in their 20s and relatively fresh to the profession by the time the late 1960s rolled around. When Sonny and Cher, were invited as guests on The Carol Burnett Show, the two got to know one another. Mackie’s flashy outfits reached the height of pop popularity in the 1970s, much like Cher did. He made her outfits for magazine covers, live shows, music videos, and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.
The ‘Naked Dress,’ which she wore to the 1974 Met Gala and again for the cover of Time magazine later that year, is one of his most famous creations. Regardless of how transparent the garment was or how much of a spectacle it might create in the media, Mackie said the legend was determined to wear it to the occasion. Nothing he ever put on her ever made her feel threatened. An icon. Both of them, honestly.
A vote of thanks to Zendaya for reinvigorating our interest in the designer’s legacy – hoping to see more of Bob Mackie on the upcoming red carpets. Enough with the lacklustre boredom.
Also Read: Britney Spears’ 2001 VMAs Performance Is Why She Was, Is And Will Always Be That Girl
