TLDR;
Bob Mackie, the "Sultan of Sequins," discusses his iconic designs and experiences dressing stars like Cher, Tina Turner, and Taylor Swift. He emphasizes the importance of observing performers' movements and personalities to create the perfect look. Mackie also touches on his decision to auction off some of his famous pieces and shares anecdotes about working with Cher and Tina Turner, highlighting their unique styles and preferences.
- Mackie was surprised and pleased to see Taylor Swift wearing his vintage designs.
- He emphasizes the importance of understanding a performer's stage presence when designing for them.
- Mackie shares humorous stories about working with Cher and Tina Turner, including instances where they challenged his designs.
Taylor Swift Wearing Mackie's Vintage Designs [0:31]
Bob Mackie expresses his surprise and delight at seeing Taylor Swift wear one of his vintage designs, which she borrowed from a Las Vegas casino. The design, created in the 1980s for a Vegas show, has experienced a resurgence in popularity. Mackie notes the trend of young Disney stars wanting to emulate a "hot mama" look, contributing to the renewed interest in his creations.
Mackie's Design Philosophy [1:10]
Mackie explains that his design philosophy centers around observing how performers move, work on stage, sit, and generally carry themselves. He emphasizes that understanding a performer's unique presence is crucial to creating a successful design. He recalls the magic of pairing Tina Turner and Cher together, highlighting their distinct stage personas.
Auctioning Off Iconic Designs [1:29]
Mackie discusses his decision to auction off some of his iconic designs. He expresses that he is comfortable with letting go of the pieces, as he doesn't keep them at home. He mentions that the performers often enjoy seeing others wear their outfits, adding to the fun and legacy of the designs.
Working with Legendary Performers [1:44]
Mackie shares insights into working with larger-than-life personalities like Cher and Tina Turner. He notes that it's essential to meet and observe them performing to truly understand their stage presence. He mentions that Cher was never intimidated by any of his designs, while Tina Turner had strong opinions and wasn't afraid to challenge his ideas, sometimes initially dismissing designs as "too old-fashioned" before ultimately embracing them.
Anecdotes About Cher [2:24]
A clip of Cher discussing Mackie is played, where she recounts an incident where Mackie designed an outfit for her that he didn't want to be publicly associated with. Mackie elaborates on the story, explaining that Cher wore a revealing outfit with her "whole butt out" while performing with her son. He humorously recalls asking people not to associate him with that particular design, as Cher insisted on wearing it.
The Design Process [3:04]
Mackie describes his design process, which begins with sketching and observing performers' movements. He stresses the importance of watching how they perform and move, as you can't just put a dress on anybody. After sketching and creating a design, he makes adjustments after seeing it on the performer.
Fashion's Cyclical Nature [3:34]
Mackie reflects on the cyclical nature of fashion, noting how certain looks fade and then resurface. He observes that the glitzy, glamorous style he's known for waned when Cher transitioned to movies but has since returned with young stars seeking a "hot" look. He also jokes about designing a showgirl outfit.