bob mackie
Early 1970s Bob Mackie Unusual Fringed Shaped Bodysuit Showgirl Costume Dress Piece
This fringed body suit is by Bob Mackie and it is a very unusual piece but one that perfectly reflects his costume designing side. Mackie was best known for dressing Cher and for his signature glamourous looks but he was also extremely active as a costume designer throughout his career. He worked for both Edith Head and Jean Louis prior to entering costume design and he began by 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. His work always has that touch of the best of the bygone glamor of Hollywood. I have no information on this piece other then it is an earlier label when he would have went solo and that its original intention would have been for stage.
A modern girl could probably wear this out and make it work with the vast range of styles and looks that we have access today but it would have originally been a costume piece. I hope that one day someone might chance across what it was originally intended for. Either way it is an interesting piece for the collector. It is a body suit that has had fringes added to extend the length and give movement. The body suit is covered in a black nylon jersey so that it has a bit of movement and stretch. It is vertically seamed all the way around which again gives it that ease of movement while still holding the body in place. The cups are shaped and there is padding added by hand inside for support and lift. It plunges low at the front and the front appears to cross over itself. This illusion is made even more so by the clear and black rhinestones edging the neckline and down the front. The straps extend to hook at the back of the neck. The back is scooped and there is a large brass zipper to close. The inner bottom is wide cut with elastic around the opening for each leg. More rhinestones circle the waist and come up to meet the ones extending from the neck and then he put a rhinestone edged bow on that hip. The fringes are set under that waist detail and the movement they have at your slightest move is incredible. It is fantastic. Excellent condition.
The bodysuit is interlined and slightly boned. Hand set padding in the bust and a partial waist stay that hooks to close to help hold it in place. It hooks at back of the neck and closes with a low set zipper. Hooks or metal end of stage costume size and weight so they're very sturdy. The zipper appears to be made of brass. Elastic through the leg openings. boning through the body suit. The gusset in clean and fresh. Hand finishes throughout. There are some sequin and rhinestones missing near where the hook closes at the back of the neck. Please see the two photos after the label shot
Bust: each cup is 6-7" flat across from side to side
Waist: 11-12" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodysuit: approx 30-33" from top of neck to inner seam
Full Length: approx 37" from neck to shortest point of fringes and 55" to the longest point
Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML
Item# DD4322
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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