Bob Mackie backstage Fall 2002
(Photo by Visko Hatfield)
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Backstage: Fall 2002

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Unmistakably MacKie : The Fashion and Fantasy of Bob Mackie

The First Time

He studied advertising and illustration at the Pasadena City College in 1957-58, then costume design at Chouinard Art Institute at Los Angeles, CA.

Mackie's background as a designer started in the movies and television. He is best known for designing the clothes and gowns of singer and actress Cher for whom he had "dressed" since the early 1970s. Seeing Cher means seeing designs by Mackie, is what a lot of Cher's audience think.

Mackie also designed costumes for Carol Burnett in the Carol Burnett Show from 1967-1978. In this weekly variety show, Mackie exhibited his true genius as an interpretative designer, where Mackie's costume designs led the audience to the character being portrayed and not the personality of the actor.

In 1979, he wrote a book, Dressing for Glamor. He said "Glamor is a state of mind, a feeling of self confidence"

In 1982, Bob Mackie turned to ready-to-wear and established Bob Mackie Originals. He already had a ready-made clientele, women who watched him dress Cher and Carol Burnett, and who watched the TV shows: The Judy Garland Show, The King Family Show, Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and Sonny & Cher Show.

Mackie did not stop his creative genius with the Bob Mackie Originals. He started designing clothes for Mattel, for the designer Barbie Series. These dolls are called Bob Mackie Dolls and sold everywhere - traditional retail stores, catalogs and online shops.

In 1999, Frank Decaro, ("Style over Substance" columnist for the NY Times) wrote Unmistakably MacKie : The Fashion and Fantasy of Bob Mackie.

If you are a fan of Bob Mackie, this book is a must have. Review of the book from Amazon.com says, "This sensational book is entertainment at its finest, just like a Mackie ensemble. In addition to the classic photographs of marvelously Mackie-clad stars of the last three decades, glorious gatefolds of specially-commissioned color photos by Gideon Lewin trumpet Mackie's exceptional achievements. Unmistakably MacKie is as unforgettable as his designs."

Bob Mackie hold runway shows once a year at Bryant Park during the Fall fashion season.

News About Bob Mackie:

Fall 2002 (Photo by Visko Hatfield)

Fall 2001 (Photo by Gruber-FWD)