I am listing three of these early Bob Mackie and Ray Aghayan dresses today and all are from the daughter of the original owner. All three have some degree of flaws to them but it was very important to my client to find new homes for these where they could be loved once again so all are priced very reasonably given the rarity of them. All are strong and wearable if you don't mind  that they are not 100% perfect. They are all from the early seventies and showcase the very beginning of Bob Mackie's career and this early collaboration that he had with Ray, who would end up being his life partner as well and was already an established, award winning costume designer in his own right. This label precedes Mackie's own label. Was very happy to have a follower send me links to the 1972 Sonny and Cher album included here that dated this one and shows Cher wearing a simialar one! 

The dress is made out of a stretch silk jersey in a royal purple color that is a touch deeper and more vibrant in person then how it photoed here. I love the easy silhouette of the dress and how the front of the bodice has an elaborate and beautiful macrame detailing. This has been entirely done by hand and then hand applied to the dress. The front detailing is made an off white rope that is knotted into a thick braid and applied around the V neckline. It then falls from the base of the V into a dramatic cascade of long fringe knotted with wood beads. The  longest of the fringes go almost to the hem. This elaborate applique gives the simple cut of the dress an instant dose of high glamour. The fabric is cut on the bias and is insanely comfortable to wear so the contrast of that glamorous detailing paired with a comfortable dress is irresistible. This is an amazing piece for the collector and these early duo label examples are very rare as they were made in extremely limited quantities. This one is unlabeled and has some small flaws but is in overall great condition. 

Unlined and closes with a hand set back painted metal zipper. The macrame was hand made as a separate piece and then hand applied. The stitching is easily seen on the back of the fabric. The color is a touch more vibrant in person. Unlabeled. My cleaners managed to lighten the one spot on the side of the dress and then there are some small areas of color change to the purple. The last three photos show these areas. Sold as is and as final sale.

Sleeves: 22"
Shoulders: 14"
Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from top of neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3326

Reference Photo: Cher in Bob Mackie, 1972 (from the Sonny & Cher 'Regreso' Album)

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I am listing three of these early Bob Mackie and Ray Aghayan dresses today and all are from the daughter of the original owner. All three have some degree of flaws to them but it was very important to my client to find new homes for these where they could be loved once again so all are priced very reasonably given the rarity of them. All are strong and wearable if you don't mind  that they are not 100% perfect. They are all from the early seventies and showcase the very beginning of Bob Mackie's career and this early collaboration that he had with Ray, who would end up being his life partner as well and was already an established, award winning costume designer in his own right. This label precedes Mackie's own label.

The dress is made out of a stretch silk jersey in a stunning coral peach color that is a bit more vibrant in person then how it photoed here. I love the one shoulder silhouette and how the front of the bodice has an elaborate and beautiful beaded Native American feeling bird. All of the bead work is done by hand and has been hand applied to the dress. It is made entirely of turquoise, coral and wood beads and then it is edged in round silver beads. The tail of the bird is a dramatic cascade of long beaded fringe that goes almost to the hem. This elaborate applique gives the simple cut of the dress an instant dose of high glamour and the bird itself is like wearing a huge piece of jewelry. The fabric is cut on the bias and is insanely comfortable to wear so the contrast of that glamorous detailing paired with a comfortable dress is irresistible. This is an amazing piece for the collector and these early duo label examples are very rare as they were made in extremely limited quantities. I have sold another example of this dress in a different color so was very familiar with this one. This one is unlabeled and has some small flaws but is in overall great condition. 

Unlined and closes with a hand set, slightly offset back painted metal zipper. The bird was beaded as a separate piece and then hand applied. The stitching is easily seen on the back of the fabric. The color is a touch more vibrant in person. Unlabeled. My cleaners managed to lighten the spots that were on the dress and the one that are left are very light now. The last three photos show the worst of them. Sold as is and as final sale.

Bust: 15-17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13.5-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 15-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 56" from top of shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3325

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I am listing three of these early Bob Mackie and Ray Aghayan dresses today and all are from the daughter of the original owner. All three have some degree of flaws to them but it was very important to my client to find new homes for these where they could be loved once again so all are priced very reasonably given the rarity of them. All are strong and wearable if you don't mind  that they are not 100% perfect. They are all from the early seventies and showcase the very beginning of Bob Mackie's career and this early collaboration that he had with Ray, who would end up being his life partner as well and was already an established, award winning costume designer in his own right. This label precedes Mackie's own label.

The dress is made out of a stretch silk jersey in a deep yellow color that photoed pretty bang on. I love the fitted silhouette of the dress and all that amazing sequin detailing. Running down the front are a series of different pieces of fruit that are all hand done using sequins, tiny tube beads and rhinestones. The dress is more fitted through the upper body and then flares out as it nears the hem. At the back there is a large cut out below the button and loop at the neck. This leaves a large expanse of bare skin across the back. And just above the butt is another cluster of strawberries for a little bit of a sassy finish. The fabric is cut on the bias and is insanely comfortable to wear so the contrast of that glamorous sequin detailing paired with a comfortable dress is irresistible. This is an amazing piece for the collector and these early duo label examples are very rare as they were made in extremely limited quantities. This one is labeled and does has some flaws but is otherwise in good condition. 

fully lined in a white stretch nylon lined and closes with a hand set back painted metal zipper and button at the back neck. The sequin work is all done by hand and hand applied. My cleaners managed to lighten the spot s on it some but they are still present. All are mainly on the back of the dress so the front presents as near perfect and the back shows all the staining with just one light spot on the front near the side seam and some faint areas on the edge of each cuff as well. . The photos after the label show show these areas. Sold as is and as final sale.

Sleeves: 23"
Slightly inset shoulders: 13"
Bust: 15-17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 16-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from top of neck to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3327

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This stunning and rare gown was designed by Bob Mackie. Mackie was best known for dressing Cher and for his undying love of opulence and bead work, both of which he incorporates heavily into the best of his designs. He worked for both Edith Head and Jean Louis prior to working as a costume designer and co-designing with Ray Aghayan. That led to his incredible journey in designing for stars like Cher and Diana Ross for many years. In some ways he and his creations defined their careers and that era of glamour. I think he secretly always designed for the big screen and the bygone glamor of Hollywood as his work is always over the top and extravagant.

This is an amazing gown that is heavily beaded and extremely sexy and flattering once on. The base of the gown is made of a black silk chiffon that has hundreds of vertical bands made of blue and black beads laid out in curving rows that follow the lines of the dress. Mixed into this are huge pink Orchids that curve up the front of the dress, highlight the lower half and sit on each sleeve. There are also flowers on the neckline and even on that dips out an past the scoop of the back so that the beaded flow sits on your bare skin. These are made up of beads and sequins in a mix of pinks and purples. Iridescent green tube beads form long trailing stalks and leaves. This combination of the glass tube beads and sequins give the gown an extra layer of texture and glamour as every inch of it catches the light and sparkles. As a result the dress is very heavy off the body because of that extensive bead-work, and yet once on the body it lies and drapes in a way that it is balanced and not at all unwieldy. The bodice is cut to skim over the chest with a wide cut neckline. The sleeves are cut wide and straight so that there is enough area to really show off the orchid design that trails down and around each sleeve. The back plunges in a V with that overlay flower that sits off on your skin as mentioned above. I love how the waist is gathered in by hand across the back just slightly so that there is a bit of shape created but at the front its left with no stitching added so that the front remains a ling unbroken sheath. The skirt is incredible and is cut with a high curve so that one side falls to full length and then other curves up to show the leg. The effect of this is far more dramatic and fabulous on a real body and it really shows off the legs. If you even remotely love it in the photos you will dance when you see it in person as it is so, so, so much better in real life. Extremely well made and made to demi-couture standards. It is so well made I think you could even wear it with the V to the front and it would still work. Excellent condition.

Fully lined in a black silk chiffon crepe including the sleeves. It closes with a hand set back zipper. Hand finished throughout. Incredibly heavy as it is fully beaded from top to bottom with glass beads but feels balanced when on and comfortable. Perhaps the occasional bead missing but nothing that detracts - I see a couple missing beads at the back near the hem and a bit of a row on the back of the curved hip side. You would never notice this when the dress is on.

Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 14.5
Bust: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 12.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from neck to waist
Skirt: 43" from waist to longest point of hem. 16.5" from waist to highest point of the curved side

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD3127

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This gorgeous dress is by Bob Mackie and from his main line which can be considered as demi-couture. He Mackie is best known for dressing Cher. His work showcases his love of over-the-top opulence and often showcase extensive bead work and applique work. He worked for both Edith Head and Jean Louis before starting his own label. This early entry into costume design and the glamor of Hollywood continued to influence his work through his career. His designs are always extravagant and glamorous in the best possible way. Here we have a piece from the 1980s and it has that opulent feel in spades. The gown in made in delicious shades of metallic golds through the bodice mixed with a pastel coral based metallic silk for the skirt. The bust is strapless and has a gold cord embroidered "lace" applique that covers it all the way around. This is layered over the same silk the skirt is made up of. Scattered over this are gold and clear crystals that catch the light when you move. The skirt is fabulous and the silk is a nod to Fortuny in the pleating treatment. The silk here has a lame feel to it and seems to glow. The underskirt is a gold silk taffeta and there is a lot of fabric there so it really has fullness and movement when you move. The bodice is very structured and molded. It feels like couture once on. Extremely well made. Excellent condition with two small condition notes to review below.

Fully lined in a muted gold silk though the bodice and the silk taffeta underskirt is interlined in a silk organza. The bodice has a built in, molded bra and boned corset built in under the lining. There is also an inner waist stay. It closes with a back painted zipper. Hand finished throughout. There is a small repair to the silk near the hem at the front and another near the base of the zipper. The pleating treatment to the silk effectively hides these when on but mentioned for accuracy and I have photoed both.

Bust: 17.5-8" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14" flat across from side seam to side seam and the inner waist stay hooks to fit a either a 26-27" waist, if you need the full 28" you can leave the stay undone or remove it
Hips: open
Bodice: 9.5" from top of bodice to true inner waist
Skirt: 43.5" from true inner waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD2814

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.