Glam Slam: Cher’s Costumes Creator

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Cher,Style,Glam Slam,Music,Divas
 
 

FIRST PUBLISHED: November 5, 2009 12:23 PM EST
LAST UPDATED: November 5, 2009 5:04 PM EST

By Ryan Patterson

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

“Nobody else is quite like her. You can’t put her in a category with anyone else, really.”

Well said! That is iconic designer Bob Mackie talking about his most famous client, Cher. It was pretty cool when I spoke to Mr. Mackie on the phone about collaborating with Cher. I mean in an age of BlackBerries, texting, the internet, twittering and assistants having their own assistants… how many times does a designer actually get on the phone these days, right? Love it!

Mr. Mackie has been working with Cher since the early ‘70s and now he’s created several new costumes for her successful Vegas show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

[CLICK HERE for a photo gallery of Mr. Mackie’s costume illustrations!]

“She likes to dress up and she gets bored and she decided she wanted something new,” the designer told me.

Boredom seems to be a big motivator for Cher. At least that’s the impression I got from Mr. Mackie. It sounds like she is always looking to reinvigorate her show and likes to re-do the costumes, especially for her vintage hits.

“I look back at what she’s worn in the past and hopefully bring some of that back, but I still give it a new look too,” he tells me.

Cher also added a new number to her show, ‘Fire Down Below’. It’s a New York street scene and Mr. Mackie created a glamorous zoot suit for the singer, who is very hands on when it comes to all aspects of her show.

“The queen is at the head of it all saying what she likes and doesn’t like,” he laughs.

There are at least a dozen costume changes and all the classic Mackie touches are there… the intricate beading, the feathers, the glitz. Her taste in color has changed over the years he says. “This year she loves day-glo green and hot pink, which she would have never worn before. And even though she wore orange in the ‘70s, she hates it and would not wear it now.” As for the designer’s signature sexy designs?

“Forty years ago, Cher could walk out naked and look good. She’s a little more careful these days, but shows enough that everyone still gets excited.”

For more information on Cher’s show, go to www.cherlasvegas.net.

Got a style question? Obsessed with something you saw a star wear on the red carpet, on TV or in a movie? CLICK HERE to send your question!

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