‘Give Her Something Fun to Wear And…’: Bob Mackie Talks Cher’s Style Amid On Demand Release of his Documentary Naked Illusion

Bob Mackie thinks that Cher’s unique sense of style was already well-established prior to her deliberately focusing on it.

Discussing his latest documentary titled “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion,” the renowned designer, now 85, reminisced about meeting Cher for the first time in 1967 during The Carol Burnett Show. Being Carol Burnett’s costume designer at that time, he found Cher to be a strikingly beautiful and uncomplicated girl back then.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d say it this way: Just like Cher, who managed to pull off bell-bottoms, fur vests, and a touch of the funky with such ease, Mackie noted. What made her even more captivating was that she designed all her own outfits herself.

At the age of 18 in 1964, when she tied the knot with Sonny Bono, her first spouse, it was then that she started dressing him, as Mackie stated.

She’d put Sonny in his outfits for their performances, often venturing out with him to sing. She seldom pondered about different styles of clothing, instead sticking to the latest fashions popular among young girls. However, one day, she found herself a married teenage girl.

When it came to her first style transformation, Mackie says Cher was simply ready for it.

According to Mackie, Cher seems to take great pleasure in dressing up. As he put it, “Some folks could take it or leave it, but not her. Dress her up in something amusing, and her happiness is palpable. You can tell it yourself.

In the documentary, they reminisce about Cher’s famous 1986 Academy Awards costume, revealing that the stylish ensemble was a retort to critics who doubted she would dress like a respected actor nominated for an Oscar. Notably, Cher had received an Academy nod in 1984 for her role in Silkwood.

Mackie claims that Cher explained her more casual appearance during that timeframe was due to the gritty roles she played in movies, which prevented her from dressing elegantly.

Mackie points out in his film that for Cher, dressing up wasn’t just about wearing a beautiful gown, but instead choosing outfits with intricate details. This is what led to the creation of her famed 1986 Academy Awards dress, which showcased her abs.

Cher went on to win the Best Actress Oscar two years later for Moonstruck.

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2025-01-11 18:52