In 2019, after more than 50 years as a costume and fashion designer, Bob Mackie’s work as one of the world’s most innovative designers was recognized by the fashion world with the Geoffrey Beene CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, his first Tony Award for his over-the-top costume designs for Broadway’s The Cher Show, recreating many of the singer’s most memorable looks, and inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute exhibit, Camp: Notes on Fashion.Internationally renowned, Bob Mackie has dressed some of the most glamorous entertainment icons in the world. His career includes some of the most iconic costume and red-carpet designs and earned him nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame and three Academy Award Nominations.
His career began as a sketch artist for Hollywood costume designers Edith Head and Jean Louis and soon after he became the costume designer for several television shows and concert series, beginning with Mitzi Gaynor’s Las Vegas Review in 1966.
Catching the eye of Carol Burnett who hired Bob to be the costume designer on the Carol Burnett Show, which included the creation of the Went With the Wind drapery dress, now part of the Smithsonian’s American History Collection, as well as looks for the show’s beloved, and hilarious, creations including Eunice, Mama and Mrs. Wiggins.
After designing costumes for the Sonny and Cher Show, Bob began a decades-long collaboration with Cher, designing looks for both her concert tours as well as red-carpet appearances, including the 1986 Academy Award black dress with marching headdress and the creation of the “naked dress” that she wore to the MET Gala in 1974.
“Bob Mackie is an American original, and to be given a chance to showcase how he accomplished his life’s work and made each design worthy of amplified spectacle is something that will leave audiences inspired,” said Miele in a statement. “Like his costumes, Bob is wholly unique and unfiltered, which makes for a compelling and candid subject.”