Vintage Bob Mackie dresses are a fashion favorite, and with good reason. The legendary Monterey, California–born fashion designer has accrued an enviable list of awards that speak to his unparalleled influence on costumes for screen and theatrical performances: Mackie has nine Emmy awards to his name, a Tony award, a CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, three Academy Award nominations and more.
As a child, Bob Mackie was enamored of Portuguese-born Brazilian dancer and actress Carmen Miranda. The love of film shared by his sister and mother proved contagious for Mackie, and he marveled at the richness and beauty he found in ballet. He wasn’t interested in fashion so much as he was in entertainment and went on to, fortunately, find work in television during the 1960s, specifically in programming that seemed to encompass all of what he’d grown to love about the arts.
As a fashion sketch artist, Mackie collaborated with Hollywood’s greatest costume designers, working with the legendary Edith Head at Paramount Studios as soon as he’d finished school. From there, he secured work with French-born, Hollywood costume designer Jean Louis, sketching the iconic Louis dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to John F. Kennedy in 1962.
Mackie would spend most of his career as a costume designer, creating iconic pieces like the Gone With the Wind parody costume (currently in the Smithsonian) for The Carol Burnett Show — where he worked for more than a decade — and campy, opulent dresses for The Cher Show on Broadway, for which he won the Tony award (he also designed bedazzled stage costumes for Sonny and Cher's 1976–77 run at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe). But he had a considerable influence on mainstream fashion as well.
The figure-hugging, feathered and fringed gowns and cocktail dresses Mackie created were worn by stars like Cher and Diana Ross on the red carpet and concert tours. Similar designs of his — dazzling evening dresses of black or vibrant red silk, some beaded with rhinestones or embellished with ostrich feathers or navy blue sequins — made their way into his mainstream fashion collection. His ready-to-wear line debuted in 1982.
Bob Mackie has always said that his clothing was “for the woman who is not afraid to be noticed,” and any woman in one of his signature dresses would definitely turn heads. There is sparkle and an element of grandeur in his garments, whether they were crafted for singer Elton John, a universally renowned fashion icon in his own right, or the woman next door, donning one of Mackie’s spectacular creations and feeling like a movie star herself.
Shop vintage Bob Mackie day dresses, suits and more on 1stDibs.
Iconic 1989 Bob Mackie White Embroidered Beaded Grapevine Design Gown
By Bob Mackie
Located in Montgomery, TX
The same dress in gold color was worn by Sharon Stone in the 1995 film Casino. A white embroidered net gown with a beaded grapevine design, from the C...
Vintage Bob Mackie S/S 1997 White Gown with White Beaded Bodice
By Bob Mackie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your bridal style with our Bob Mackie White Gown. This off-shoulder gown features a stunning beaded, sequin, and pearl ornamented bodice ...
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
Size: 8
Judith Ann Creations Beaded Ivory Gown with Crystal Tassel Shoulders, 1980s
By Judith Ann Creations
Located in Kingston, NY
Radiating drama and elegance, this 1980s Judith Ann Creations gown is a true statement piece designed for moments that demand unforgettable glamour. Known for her richly embellished ...
LES HABITUDES 90's Vintage Couture Hand-Beaded w. Pearls White Silk Bridal Gown
By Eavis & Brown
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Les Habitudes / Eavis & Brown Couture created, entirely hand-made in a London atelier Vintage 1990's Heavy 100% ivory white silk (might look a little more cream on the hanger, bu...
1980S KLEINFELD Ivory & Gold Silk Faille Hand Beaded And Embroidered Gown With
Located in New York, NY
1980S KLEINFELD Ivory & Gold Silk Faille Hand Beaded And Embroidered Gown With Matching Jacket
$3,360Sale Price|30% Off
L 60 in
Badgley Mischka Attributed Ivory Beaded Lace Silk Bridal Gown, Circa 2000
By Badgley Mischka
Located in Kingston, NY
An exceptional and exquisitely constructed bridal gown attributed to Badgley Mischka, dating to the late 1990s to early 2000s, a formative period when the American design house was defining its signature blend of red-carpet glamour and refined bridal elegance. The gown is distinguished by a meticulously hand-beaded lace bodice, densely embroidered with scrolling floral motifs in ivory-on-ivory beadwork and sequins. The embellishment is both intricate and restrained, demonstrating the atelier-level craftsmanship for which Badgley Mischka was celebrated during this era. A sculptural square neckline with wide-set straps frames the décolletage, while long, semi-sheer lace sleeves provide balance and architectural softness. The fitted bodice transitions seamlessly into a fluid silk crepe skirt, cut close through the hips before falling into a gentle, elongated hemline with subtle flare. This contrast between ornate surface detail and minimalist drape is emblematic of Badgley Mischka’s bridal work at the turn of the millennium—timeless, elegant, and deliberately understated. The back of the gown is finished with a row of fabric-covered buttons, reinforcing its couture sensibility and period authenticity. The interior reveals structured boning and refined finishing, consistent with atelier or runway sample construction. The absence of a sewn-in label is in keeping with known Badgley Mischka bridal samples from this era, many of which were produced for showroom presentation or press and never intended for retail sale. Presented in exceptional vintage condition, with beadwork intact and fabric retaining its original luminosity, this gown represents a rare opportunity to acquire a true designer bridal piece from a pivotal moment in modern American fashion history. Authentic vintage Badgley Mischka...
1960s Hong Kong Beaded White Silk Crepe Fishtail Wedding Gown
Located in Gresham, OR
1960s Hong Kong Beaded White Silk Crepe Fishtail Wedding Gown: A mint condition, curvaceous and body affirming sleeveless gown made by the best beadwor...
Oscar de la Renta S/S 2021 Ivory Lace Embroidered Wedding Dress Gown M
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Montgomery, TX
Oscar de la Renta ivory French lace embroidered wedding dress embodies timeless elegance, exquisite craftsmanship, and romantic detail. Embroidered floral motif, fitted bodice and fl...
Alfred Bosand Ivory beaded Bodice Silk chiffon Gown, 1970s
By Alfred Bosand
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Known for creating beautiful, romantic dresses, American couture designer Alfred Bosand is remembered for his exquisite attention to detail. Workin...
1980s Tadashi Shoji Size 4 White Avant Garde Rhinestone Pearl Vintage 80s Gown
By Tadashi Shoji
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1980s vintage TADASHI SHOJI avant garde white cut-out full length crepe evening dress! Features cut out detail above bust. Pearl and rhinestone encrusted details at center...
1990s Tatters White Tulle Ribbonwork Column Dress with Sequins
Located in London, GB
This romantic wedding dress was designed in the early 1990s by Tatters, a high-end London boutique that was located on the famous Kings Road in Chelsea and made bespoke designs. Craf...
1970s Andrea Wilkin Silk Ivory Fantasy Bridal Dress in Edwardian Style
By Andrea Wilkin
Located in London, GB
This exquisite Andrea Wilkin 1970s fantasy bridal gown in soft ivory exudes femininity and is in wonderful condition. Layers of silk fabric are beautifully arranged to create the cla...
2019 Alberta Ferretti Couture Cream Silk Rhinestone Dress with Train
By Alberta Ferretti
Located in London, GB
Alberta Ferretti designed this dress in 2019. Couture-crafted, it was made for actress Eva Longoria, who wore it to the Cannes Film Festival the same year. Generously designed from s...
1977 Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Ivory Silk Crepe Dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in London, GB
We are attributing this enchanting 1970s silk crepe couture dress to the master couturier Yves Saint Laurent as part of his Les Espagnoles et les Romantiques collection for Spring 19...
1980s Jack Bryan Cream Georgette Dress with Beaded and Tulle Bodice
By Jack Bryan
Located in London, GB
Jack Bryan manufactured well made evening dresses for the very best US department stores and his Los Angeles boutique from the 1960s to the mid-1980s. This pretty gown is tailored fr...
2003 Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Beige Long-Sleeve Dress
By Zuhair Murad
Located in London, GB
Zuhair Murad is a renowned Lebanese fashion designer known for his romantic, intricate haute couture, bridal, and ready-to-wear collections, often described as glamorous and "dreamy"...
