Clip of Bob Mackie taking the stage for a Q & A at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s showing of the new documentary, Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion (Video credit: University of Fashion) 

On Saturday, January 11th, I had the pleasure of taking part in a Q & A with Bob Mackie at the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s showing of the new documentary film, Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion. The film delves into the extraordinary life and career of the legendary designer, known for his iconic costumes and contributions to the world of fashion and entertainment. The list of celebs that he has dressed range from Marilyn Monroe to Mitzi Gaynor, Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Bette Midler, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Elton John, Pink, Miley Cyrus and of course, his most famous muse, Cher.

Scan this QR Code to see a trailer of Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion (Image credit: Bob Mackie Instagram) 

The film, Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion is available for on-demand streaming on Amazon, Google, iTunes and Fandango. It offers a glimpse into Mackie’s creative process, featuring interviews with celebrities and insights into his most famous designs. With vibrant visuals and a captivating narrative, Naked Illusion is a celebration of artistry and innovation. In fact there is one part where one of Mackie’s seamstresses talks about how he is so hands-on that he actually draws his beadings motifs onto garment parts himself. Mackie calls himself a control freak but his seamstress says that he is  perfectionist!

How many of today’s famous designers can you name that are actually as ‘hands-on’ as Bob Mackie?

Some Mackie Facts

How old was Mackie when he knew he wanted to a a costume designer? Like many fashion and costume designers, he was passionate about fashion at a very young age. Seated in front of me at the Mackie Q & A was a woman who went to Rosemead High School in LA with him. She told the audience how Mackie used to design the costumes for their school’s theatre productions.

Did Bob Mackie attend fashion school? Yes, the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles but left school early to take a job sketching for Paramount Studios.

Marilyn Monroe wearing the “Happy Birthday Mr. President Dress” designed by Bob Mackie in 1962 (Image credit: NewAtlas.com)

Did you know that the Marilyn Monroe “Happy Birthday Mr. President Dress”, worn on May 19, 1962 to honor President John F. Kennedy’s birthday, was originally designed by Bob Mackie? At age 23, Mackie was hired by the leading fashion designer of the time, Jean Louis. The dress had 2,500 crystal rhinestones and was so form-fitting that Monroe was sewn into it just before her performance. The cost to make the iconic dress in 1962 was $1,440.33 (equivalent to $11,111 in 2023) and in 2016, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! acquired Monroe’s dress at a Julien’s Auctions event for $4.8 million.

Mackie’s “Curtain  Rod dress” for Carol Burnett (as Scarlet O’hara) in her 1976 spoof on the film Gone With The Wind (Image credit: Pinterest)

Did you know the Mackie’s “Curtain Rod Dress” for Carol Burnett’s 1976 spoof on the iconic film, Gone With The Wind” received the longest recorded laugh in TV history? And that the costume now resides in the collection of the National Museum of American History?

When asked who he wished he could have dressed? Audrey Hepburn, but she was already being dressed by Givenchy.

Did you know that Mackie’s various accolades include his nine Emmy Award wins, Tony Award wins and three Oscar nominations?

Did you know that  he has been featured in several exhibitions, including:

Did you know that Bob Mackie has authored 5 books? The most popular being  My Three Lives: A Memoir and Dressing for Glamour?

Did you know that Mackie has created entire Barbie  doll collections? Some dolls going for $3, 799 on eBay.

For more on his life and work, you MUST watch Bob Mackie: Naked Illusions. Get tons of popcorn ready, it’s a two-hour film.

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By: Francesca Sterlacci
Title: Bob Mackie- The Last of the Hands-on Designers?
Sourced From: www.universityoffashion.com/blog/bob-mackie-the-last-of-the-hands-on-designers/
Published Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2025 19:18:40 +0000

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