Cher Shares The Story Behind Her Controversial 1986 Oscar Dress

Cher’s iconic 1986 Oscar dress, masterfully crafted by renowned designer Bob Mackie, has solidified its place as a pivotal piece in the annals of Hollywood fashion. The dress, a daring departure from traditional red carpet attire, captivated audiences with its audacious design.

The singer complemented the sheer gown, which exposed her midriff with a striking headpiece and thigh-high boots as she exuded confidence. The dress’s provocative nature challenged societal norms, pushed the boundaries of acceptability on the red carpet, and sparked heated debates among fashion critics and netizens. Recently, Cher opened up about the backstory behind the creation of this legendary garment.

Cher shares the story behind her 1986 iconic Oscar dress

During her conversation with Vogue magazine, Cher revealed the inspiration behind her iconic dress, explaining that the decision to wear the dress was not just a fashion statement but also a deliberate choice to challenge the norms and expectations of the prestigious awards ceremony. “I had the idea mostly because the Academy didn’t really like me,” she told the news outlet. “They hated the way I dressed and I had young boyfriends so they thought I wasn’t serious. So I came out and said, ‘As you can see I got my handbook on how to dress like a serious actress.'”

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She further described how she shared her vision for the dress with Mackie, her trusted friend and designer of many years. “I came to Bob with an idea,” the 77-year-old added. “I said I want to have a mohawk, [but] that is not actually Indian. I want it to be so over-the-top that it’s next week. The beautiful shawl was cashmere. I loved the whole thing.”

The iconic singer shared that her designer initially hesitated about designing the dress for her as she expressed concerns about its suitability for a prestigious event.

However, the Goddess of Pop conveyed her vision, asserting that she didn’t want to appear like a conventional housewife in an evening gown. This prompted Mackie to embrace the challenge and channel his creativity into crafting the dress, ultimately giving rise to one of the most legendary and timeless looks in fashion history.