“A Woman who Wears my Clothes is Not Afraid to Be Noticed.” - Bob Mackie

Researched and written by Ellen of Kinseysue on Etsy

Bob Mackie is a prolific designer to entertainers including Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Barbara Eden, Liza Minnelli, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, Barbara Streisand, Mitzi Gaynor, Elton John, and Pink. Mackie got his start in 1961 when costume designers like Edith Head and Jean Louis paid for his illustrations. As one of his first assignments, Mackie drew the sketch of the famous dress Marilyn Monroe wore to sing “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy in 1962 at a gala in Madison Square garden.

(from JustCollecting)

In 1966, he was hired by Mitzi Gaynor to design clothes for her new show in Las Vegas. His work for her earned him two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for her TV specials in 1976 and 1977. These specials exposed Mackie’s designs of glitz, elegance, and humor to the world.

Carol Burnett took notice and hired him to design for her show’s entire eleven-year run. One of Mackie’s most recognizable designs was the Green Drapery Dress worn by Carol Burnett in the spoof WENT WITH THE WIND. This gown, complete with drapery rod, is now on display in the Smithsonian.

Went with the Wind Drapery Dress - Carol Burnett Designed by Bob Mackie

from The Smithsonian

Many of Mackie’s most well-known designs leave little to the imagination. They are skimpy, clingy, see-through, and sport strategically placed sequins, feathers, rhinestones, and crystals.

He designed the ensemble worn by Cher at the 1986 Oscars. It consisted of black stretch pants, a be-jeweled loincloth, knee-high boots, a black top of chainlink, and a huge Mohawk headdress. Unfortunately, we cannot show you a picture of it as they are all copyright protected,

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in the United States between 1928 and 1977, inclusive, without a copyright notice. For further explanation, see Commons:Hirtle chart as well as a detailed definition of "publication" for public art. Note that it may still be copyrighted in jurisdictions that do not apply the rule of the shorter term for US works (depending on the date of the author's death), such as Canada (50 p.m.a.), Mainland China (50 p.m.a., not Hong Kong or Macao), Germany (70 p.m.a.), Mexico (100 p.m.a.), Switzerland (70 p.m.a.), and other countries with individual treaties.

The photo at the right is Cher and

Farrah Fawcett, Cher is wearing a

Bob Mackie Dress.

McCall's 7148 was designed by Bob Mackie and is available from Kinseysue on Etsy

Below is the full list of all of his awards and nominations. He has an impressive 12 wins and 26 nominations!

Academy Awards, USA

1982 Nominee

Oscar Best Costume Design

Pennies from Heaven(1981)

1976 Nominee

Oscar Best Costume Design

Funny Lady (1975)

Shared with:

Ray Aghayan

1973 Nominee

Oscar Best Costume Design

Lady Sings the Blues (1972)

Shared with:

Ray Aghayan

Norma Koch

Primetime Emmy Awards

2006 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special

Once Upon a Mattress (2005)

Shared with:

Christopher Hargadon (costume designer)

Dawn Climie (costume supervisor)

2003 Winner

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costumes for a Variety or Music Program

Cher: The Farewell Tour (2003)

Shared with:

Hugh Durrant (dancers' costume designer)

2000 Winner

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costumes for a Variety or Music Program

Cher: Live in Concert from Las Vegas(1999)

Shared with:

David Cardona(dancer's costume designer)

Helen Hiatt(costume supervisor)

1998 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program

Blue Suede Shoes: Ballet Rocks!(1997)

1997Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special

Mrs. Santa Claus (1996)

1995 Winner

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program

Men, Movies & Carol (1994)

1994Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special

Gypsy (1993)

1993 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program

The Carol Burnett Show: A Reunion(1993)

Shared with:

Ret Turner(costume designer)

1992 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program

The Carol Burnett Show (1991)

Shared with:

Ret Turner(costume designer)

For show #403.

1991 Winner

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program

Carol & Company(1990)

Shared with:

Ret Turner(costume designer)

For episode "That Little Extra Something".

Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program

Cher... at the Mirage (1990)

Shared with:

Ret Turner(costume designer)

Michael Schmidt(costume designer)

1990 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program

Julie & Carol: Together Again (1989)

1988 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Individual Achievement - Special Events

60th Annual Academy Awards (1988)

Shared with:

Ray Aghayan(costume designer)

1987 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special

Fresno (1986)

For part I.

Outstanding Costume Design for a Series

Mama's Family (1983)

Shared with:

Ret Turner(costume designer)

For episode "The Love Letter".

1986 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program

Neil Diamond... Hello Again(1986)

Shared with:

Bill Whitten(costume designer)

Ret Turner(costume designer)

1984 Winner

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Series

Mama's Family (1983)

Shared with:

Ret Turner(costume designer)

For episode "Mama's Birthday". Tied with Dynasty (1981).

1983 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Series

Mama's Family(1983)

Shared with:

Ret Turner

For episode "Wedding", part II.

1980 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Limited Series or a Special

Ann-Margret: Hollywood Movie Girls(1980)

1979 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Costume Design for a Limited Series or a Special

Cher... and Other Fantasies(1979)

Shared with:

Ret Turner

1978 Winner

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for Music-Variety

Mitzi... Zings Into Spring(1977)

Shared with:

Ret Turner(costume designer)

1977 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for Music-Variety

The Sonny and Cher Show(1976)

Shared with:

Ret Turner(costume designer)

For episode with 'Barbara Eden (I)' and The Smothers Brothers.

Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for Music-Variety

An Evening with Diana Ross(1977)

(Shown within The Big Event (1976)).

1976 Winner

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for Music-Variety

Mitzi... Roarin' in the 20's(1976)

1975 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for Music-Variety

Cher(1975)

Shared with:

Ret Turner

For the episode on 21 September 1975 (with Wayne Rogers and Nancy Walker).

1975 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design

Cher(1975)

For episode with Bette Midler, Flip Wilson and Elton John.

1974 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design

The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour(1971)

Shared with:

Ret Turner(costume designer)

For episode "The Sonny and Cher Years".

1972 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design

The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour(1971)

Shared with:

Ret Turner(costume designer)

For episode with Art Carney.

1970 Winner

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design

G.I.T. on Broadway(1969)

Official ATAS records list the title of the special as "Diana Ross and the Supremes and The ... More

1969 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Outstanding Individual Achievement in the Visual Arts

The Carol Burnett Show(1967)

1967 Winner

Primetime Emmy Individual Achievements in Art Direction and Allied Crafts - Costume Design

Alice Through the Looking Glass(1966)

Shared with:

Ray Aghayan(costume designer)

The first Emmy ever awarded for costume design.

1966 Nominee

Primetime Emmy Individual Achievements in Art Direction and Allied Crafts - Costume Design

Danny Thomas' The Wonderful World of Burlesque: Second Edition(1965)

Shared with:

Ray Aghayan(costume designer)

American Choreography Awards, USA

2001 Winner

Governors Award

Costume Designers Guild Awards

1999 Winner

Career Achievement Award Television

TV Land Awards

2005 Winner

Legend Award The Carol Burnett Show(1967)

Shared with:

Carol Burnett

Tim Conway

Harvey Korman

Vicki Lawrence

Lyle Waggoner

Credits

1. Author; Just Collecting https://www.justcollecting.com/blogs/news/marilyn-monroe-memorabilia-the-worlds-most-valuable-items?_pos=2&_sid=f5a59008d&_ss=r 2023 Marilyn Monroe Dress by Bob Mackie; 3/15/2023

2. Author; The Smithsonian Institute; 2023; PD-PRE-1978

his work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in the United States between 1928 and 1977, inclusive, without a copyright notice. For further explanation, see Commons:Hirtle chart as well as a detailed definition of "publication" for public art. Note that it may still be copyrighted in jurisdictions that do not apply the rule of the shorter term for US works (depending on the date of the author's death), such as Canada (50 p.m.a.), Mainland China (50 p.m.a., not Hong Kong or Macao), Germany (70 p.m.a.), Mexico (100 p.m.a.), Switzerland (70 p.m.a.), and other countries with individual treaties.

3. Author; CBS Television: Permission(Reusing this file)PD-PRE1978.

• The photo has no copyright markings on it as can be seen in the links above.

• Press release is dated 22 December 1976.

Photo of Farrah Fawcett and Cher from the television program The Sonny and Cher Show. Gown designs by Bob Mackie.

This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in the United States between 1928 and 1977, inclusive, without a copyright notice. For further explanation, see Commons:Hirtle chart as well as a detailed definition of "publication" for public art. Note that it may still be copyrighted in jurisdictions that do not apply the rule of the shorter term for US works (depending on the date of the author's death), such as Canada (50 p.m.a.), Mainland China (50 p.m.a., not Hong Kong or Macao), Germany (70 p.m.a.), Mexico (100 p.m.a.), Switzerland (70 p.m.a.), and other countries with individual treaties.

4. AAuthor: IMBD an Amazon Company, 2023; Bob Mackie, Awards, 3/30/2023; https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0533496/awards/?ref_=nm_ql_2