The Tropic Welcomes Bob Mackie

Front Row at the Movies by Shirrel Rhoades

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For six decades, costume designer Bob Mackie has dressed flamboyant stars like Cher, Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, Carol Channing, Judy Garland, Madonna, and Elton John. He received a Tony nomination for his work on The Cher Show, along with a Lifetime Achievement Award to boot.

Now Mackie is dropping by the Tropic Cinema on Monday, November 11, to host a showing of “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion,” a documentary celebrating Mackie’s remarkable over-the-top career as couturier to the stars.

Well, divas for certain.

Mackie has been called the Sultan of Sequins, Rajah of Rhinestones, and Guru of Glitter.

A ticket to the Tropic’s members-only party includes the Cocktail Hour (Open Bar) sponsored by Julien’s Auctions, a viewing of original sketches by Bob Mackie, an introduction and Q&A with Bob Mackie moderated by local fashionista and drag star Randy Roberts, followed by the film itself.

Quite an evening!

Directed by Matthew Miele (“Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s”), this 105-minute film chronicles the remarkable six-decade journey of one of fashion’s most iconic figures. It’s jam-packed with tributes from admirers such as Cher, Carol Burnett, Miley Cyrus, Mitzi Gaynor, Pink, RuPaul, and Tom Ford.

“It’s kind of weird,” the 85-year-old designer muses. “I don’t know what people will think of the film; it’s about the 1970s, 1980s — I’m an old guy now. I’m just amused people are amused by me.”

Mackie’s early career included working as a sketch artist for costume designer Edith Head and for fashion designer Jean Louis. He also sketched the famed dress that Louis designed for Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday” to John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden in 1962.

Why call the film “Naked Illusion”? He smiles at the question. “Why that title? Oh, I don’t know! You see a lot of naked dresses in it. I didn’t realize I’d done so many.”

The “naked” dress he designed for Cher’s appearance at the 1974 Met Gala also made the cover of Time Magazine.

“There are some really personal things in there that make me a little nervous – but not really,” says Mackie. “I don’t know . . . I’ll be happy if anyone sees and likes it.”

Email Shirrel: srhoades@aol.com