Blog 3 – Bob Mackie – Sam.C

Blog 3 – Bob Mackie – Sam.C

Robert Gordon Mackie, aka Bob Mackie, attended the Pasadena City College and the Chouinard Art Institute.

Mackie has quoted that, “A woman who wears my clothes is not afraid to be noticed.”

Mackie is often called the sultan of sequins, known for his sparkling and imaginative costume designs. Mackie was also thrice nominated for an Academy Award. Mackie’s close attention to detail, as embodied in the design, choice of fabric, use of colour, and opulent embellishment, is legendary. When a woman chooses a “Mackie, “ she dares to be noticed.

By the mid-sixties, Mackie was the hot young “Mad” designer and was designing costumes for many of the top television variety specials, featuring Fred Astaire, Mitzi Gaynor, Dinah Shore and Diana Ross and the Supremes.

In 2009 Mackie created the “Went with the Wind” Carol Burnett Show Doll, to pay homage to his dear friend and the infamous “Green Curtain Dress.” The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History honoured Bob Mackie and his inventive genius by displaying the “Went with the Wind” dress as part of the American History Museums Kennedy Centre Honours Collection.

One of Mackie’s best-remembered creations had a humorous aspect. The garnish ensemble worn by Cher at the March 1986 Academy Awards: black stretch pants, a bejewelled loincloth, knee-high boots, a black chain link top, and a huge feathered Mahawk headdress that was one and a half times taller than her head.