I’m a agency believer within the energy of sparkle and shine to brighten the quick, darkish and chilly days of winter, particularly after the vacations. It does not need to be a lot, simply one thing to perk up the gloom earlier than spring seems on the horizon.
Right this moment’s e-book meets these standards for me, presenting some hilarious diversion for the post-holiday “blah.”
“The Artwork of Bob Mackie” for frank proprietor Y laura ross It completely brings the flicker to the realm of espresso desk books. Its deep blue entrance cowl is framed by sensible turquoise flames and dotted with tiny silver bubbles. The title and authors are printed entrance and middle in shiny silver Artwork Deco font.
The impact is like so many Mackie creations: cutouts topped by billowing strips of opulent cloth suspended in a crystal-studded phantasm. Simply trying on the luxurious cowl injects a little bit of fabulous into my day.
Recognized to some in the present day as a clothes service provider on QVC, Mackie is a veteran vogue and costume designer with a profession spanning six many years. He made his mark in tv with stints designing for films, Broadway, pop stars and Las Vegas exhibits. His signature model blends edgy, humor, and sparkle for seems to be that vary from tacky to ravishing.
Born in Southern California, Mackie briefly attended school after which artwork faculty earlier than going to work in Hollywood. He started his profession in 1961 as a contract cartoonist at Paramount Studios with famed costume designer Edith Head.
The next 12 months he moved to 20th Century Fox, doing sketches for its costume designer, Jean Louis. Whereas there, Mackie created sketches for the designer gown Marilyn Monroe wore to President John F. Kennedy’s birthday celebration (the identical gown Kim Kardashian wore to the 2022 Met Gala).
In 1963, Mackie started working as an assistant to costume designer Ray Aghayan on “The Judy Garland Present.” From there, the tv work grew right into a full affiliation with Aghayan specializing in selection exhibits and musicals and making ready Mackie for his solo profession and best-known hits, weekly selection exhibits for Carol Burnett and Sonny & Cher. .
Mackie’s profession exploded whereas working with Carol Burnett and Sonny & Cher within the late ’60s and ’70s. He created every part from over-the-top sequined and feathered concoctions for Cher’s musical numbers to the notorious “curtain rod gown” (now on the Smithsonian) for Burnett’s parody sketch of “Gone with the Wind.” For Burnett’s selection present alone, he designed between 60 and 70 costumes each week for 11 years, totaling roughly 17,000 outfits, an incredible feat of creativeness and stamina.
His weekly tv work expanded to incorporate different media and performers. Mackie’s work has been nominated for greater than 30 Emmy Awards (successful 9), three Oscars, and has gained a Tony. In 2019, she obtained the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Trend Designers of America. She continues to work in the present day.
“The Artwork of Bob Mackie” is a chronological journey via Mackie’s profession loosely divided into sections for every kind of efficiency he designed for: movie, tv, theater, music. The e-book claims to be “the primary full and authoritative glimpse into the life and work of the legendary designer, with greater than 1,560 pictures and sketches, many from Mackie’s private assortment.”
It is large, although not overwhelmingly thick, and each inch is full of drawings and pictures (usually of the identical costume, displaying its evolution) in a putting design. Each varieties of illustrations, massive and small, are positioned across the textual content or organized on bigger spreads. Whereas Mackie’s best-known works, equivalent to his creations for TV selection exhibits and for pop icons Cher, Diana Ross, and Elton John, get more room within the e-book, there’s good protection of fascinating (and generally stunning) work. ) all through his profession. .
There’s a lot to see on this e-book; the authors do not skimp on Mackie’s visible contributions. It is an awesome title for anybody considering costume design or vogue illustration, because it offers a window into the designer’s course of and creative ability.
For instance, it is simple to observe the course of Mackie’s collaboration with Cher and its subsequent impact on her profession as she transitioned from ’70s-influenced streetwear to her beaded, feathered, and generally stunning apparel.
Sadly, the standard of the quick textual content doesn’t match that of the illustrations. The written content material is cloying with dated, tacky, and overly chatty asides and descriptions that sound like they got here from a mid-century Hollywood gossip journal. Learn it for the details and ignore the remaining. That is okay: this e-book is finally about wonderful artwork. Dive deep or come again to it for smaller bits – it really works both manner.
No matter you consider his work, “The Artwork of Bob Mackie” provides a glance into the profession of one among America’s most influential costume designers. You’ll find extra data on this topic and way more within the library the place there’s something for everybody. Completely happy studying!