This gorgeous dress is by Bob Mackie who became a household name when he started dressing Cher. The very best of his work is dramatic and opulent and he was a master at print and color. He started off his career freelancing for costumers Edith Head and Jean Louis and it was for Louis that he sketched the design for Marilyn Monroe's famous 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' dress. He met fellow costume designer Ray Aghayan who would become his life partner and together they designed both costumes and a made to order line of RTW. That led to his incredible journey in designing for stars like Cher and Diana Ross for many years all while building his own self-named label. His work and his creations really helped to defined the entire idea of high glamour on the small screen. His work is incredible and this dress is stunning. I love how it shows his range as a designer beyond his signature beaded pieces.
This is an extraordinary Bob Mackie dress whose twin walked the runway for the Spring 1989 collection. On the runway it was shown with a little beaded Bolero and I love that you could potentially wear it like that by adding your own little jacket. This one came with a matching oversize shawl made of the same silk chiffon and I love it this way just as much but it's always nice to see options. The dress is made out of a brilliant red silk chiffon. It has a surprise though. Under the top layer of the silk of the skirt is a second layer of silk chiffon that is done in a bright true pink. This gives the red a slightly pink undertone and there is also this amazing and unexpected flash of colour when you sit or move. It is a colour combination that is stunning to see together. The bodice is strapless and it has an inner shaped corset that is boned and shaped for support and to stay perfectly in place. The top of the bodice is slightly rounded and then it is notched at the center. Over that the silk chiffon has been gathered and draped so that it swoops upwards and in towards the center seam. The skirt flows out from under the seam of that top part of the dress and it is made up of yards and yards of feather light silk chiffon. There are two layers of the silk as described above with the red on top and pink underneath. All the layers of the silk are feather light and the movement it creates as you move is just incredible. All the silk is cut on the bias. The dress also comes with its original massive matching cape shawl piece. Draped over the shoulders the sides fall down and passed the hem of the dress. You can wear it as a cake and just draped over the shoulder or you could wrap it. This little bit of added glamour and drama just elevates the dress that much more. It is truly one of the best dresses of his that I have seen. Excellent condition with one small note below
The bodice of the dress is fully lined in a red silk. The skirt has an inner pink layer of silk chiffon as described above. The bodice is shaped and and boned inside and has an inner waist stay that hooks to close. It then closes with a back painted metal zipper. Hand finishes. There is a tiny repair to the inner edge of the bodice, a tiny one near the hem and a small mark on the edge of the bodice at the back. Please see the photos after the label shot.
Bust: to 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 8.5" from top of the bodice to seam
Skirt: 42" from seam under the bodice to hem
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD4335
Reference Photo: Spring 1989 Bob Mackie Runway.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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