From the Archive: Bob Mackie, Scene-Stealer

by · WWD
Night Sports, Bob Mackie Fall 1985, WWD, April 16, 1985.George Chinsee/Fairchild Archive

Bob Mackie (1939-2026) carved out his own place in fashion, becoming the go-to designer for every rising star across stage and screen, from the late 1960s to the late 1980s. From Carol Burnett to Cher, Tina Turner, Lola Falana, Diana Ross and Elton John, one had to embody a particular level of confidence to saunter and shimmy across the stage and red carpet in one of his iconic, over-the-top beaded concoctions. His naked illusion dresses — the first worn by actress Mitzi Gaynor for a 1969 television special — was at first shocking but became liquid gold for Mackie, solidifying his legacy as a costume and fashion designer. Women’s Wear Daily’s fondness for Hollywood kept Mackie in sight as he moved from Los Angeles to New York, making a name for himself as one of Seventh Avenue’s sought-after designers. In 1985, George Chinsee, then a staff photographer for WWD, captured Mackie’s gold beaded evening dress — showcased at Rockefeller Center — for the “Night Sports” cover, a scene-stealer from the Hollywood era that made Mackie a star.

“Night Sports,” Bob Mackie, WWD, April 16, 1985. George Chinsee/Fairchild Archive