Bob Mackie, the legendary designer behind some of Cher’s most iconic looks, recently shared insights into their long-lasting partnership, particularly highlighting Cher’s innate sense of style. In an interview with People, Mackie, who is promoting his documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion, reflected on the singer’s evolution in fashion, starting from when they first met in 1967 on The Carol Burnett Show. At the time, Mackie was Burnett’s costume designer, and Cher was a fresh face in the industry.
Mackie fondly remembered Cher as a “beautiful and simple” young woman, but noted that she had a natural flair for wearing bell bottoms, fur vests, and other fun pieces, often making her own clothes. He also recalled how, when Cher married Sonny Bono at just 18, she began to dress him as well, a foreshadowing of her future influence in the fashion world.
According to Mackie, Cher’s first big style transformation was a natural progression—she was always ready to embrace new looks. He described her love for “playing dress-up,” saying that giving her something fun to wear always made her happy. Cher’s evolving sense of fashion culminated in some of her most memorable moments, such as the 1986 Academy Awards, where she wore a striking, ab-baring dress that defied traditional Oscar glamor. Mackie revealed that this bold look was a statement to critics who questioned whether Cher could dress like a serious actress after her Oscar nomination for Silkwood.
Mackie added that for Cher, fashion wasn’t just about pretty dresses; it was about finding outfits with unique and detailed design elements that reflected her personality. Cher’s embrace of daring, unconventional looks became part of her enduring legacy in the entertainment world. Two years after her 1986 red carpet moment, Cher won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Moonstruck, solidifying her status as both a fashion icon and a celebrated actress.
