Bob Mackie is behind some of Cher’s most iconic looks, but there is one he is not quite proud of. He admitted to this in his new documentary, Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion, revealing that he is forever embarrassed by Cher’s vulgar appearance in her 1989 music video of “If I Could Turn Back Time.”
He dressed Cher up in what he coined the seat belt outfit, featuring a sheer bodysuit that showed her tattooed bum, a leather jacket, and low-high boots. He begged her to deny that he ever made such a “scary” piece.
Cher’s music video outfit by Bob Mackie stirred controversy
The scandalous outfit sparked controversy as MTV deemed the video unsuitable for general viewing, and did not air it until after 9 pm. The fact that it was filmed aboard the USS Missouri battleship with sailors cheering caused even more backlash for Cher.
Bob admitted that he often dressed her in daring, sexy clothes and ones that she sometimes did not like but would agree to wear. The see-through bicycle pants are just one of the few Bob Mackie designs that were not well-received by the public.
More fashion, more scandal
Bob Mackie and Ray Aghayan were behind Cher’s 1974 MET Gala look, which featured the naked illusion gown that left little to the imagination. She got into the same dress the following year for her TIME magazine cover, stirring another wave of controversy and bans.
Regardless of the pushback these looks brought in for Cher and Bob, he remains the go-to for even younger pop sensations today. Sabrina Carpenter wore his vintage creation for one of Madonna’s Oscar appearances at September’s MTV Video Music Awards, while Zendaya rocked a Cher 2001 number to this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame event. Cher stunned at 78 in a cutout catsuit at the premiere of Naked Illusions in May.
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