1990s Bob Mackie Black and Green Striped Beaded Strapless Gown

This fabulous 1990s Bob Mackie dress was designed by the heralded designer and costumer. Known for his high-octane, spotlight-stealing designs, he dressed entertainment icons across the globe, including Cher, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Marilyn Monroe, Dolly Parton and Diana Ross. True to Mackie’s trademark style, this mesmerising gown was designed to highlight and flatter the feminine form. This is an extremely detailed example and is fully embellished with rows of sequins and bugle beads. These dresses were extremely costly in their day and always hand beaded by the most skilled artisans.

The dress has a strapless cut which is elongated and raised up over the décolletage to echo and emphasise the curves of the bust. Lined with black silk, the bust is intricately boned and padded to further shape the silhouette. The body is sequinned in emerald green bugle beads with a rainbow-hued stripe falling down the front of the body made up of rows of forest green, red, bronze, purple, silver and dark blue beads, alongside glittering rhinestones. The skirt has a dramatic slit at the front, adding to the sultry feel of the design. This gown is lined throughout with black silk.

In truly excellent vintage condition with no flaws of any note to the beadwork or silk and appears unaltered. It has no size or composition label and the fabric has no stretch. We estimate a best fit for a UK 6-8 or US 2-4.

MEASUREMENTS

BUST - 34 in. (86 cm)

WAIST - 25 in. (64 cm)

HIP - 38 in. (97 cm)

LENGTH - 49 in. (125 cm)