Cher’s mark on the fashion industry is undeniable: the legendary musician has had a ton of memorable style moments since bursting onto the limelight in the 1970s.
Cher, who celebrates her 78th birthday on Monday, was known for her bold style early in her music career, often donning highly ornamented outfits and flashy headpieces.
A defining feature of Cher’s style is her close relationship with fashion designer Bob Mackie, who dressed her in some of the avant-garde looks that have defined her fashion evolution. Two of Mackie’s most memorable looks for Cher came at the Academy Awards in 1986 and 1988, when Cher won Best Actress for her performance in Moonstalk.
For the occasion, Cher wore a sheer slip dress by Bob Mackie adorned with black fringe sequin detailing, which she paired with a black shawl and matching sequin earrings.
Two years ago, Cher attended the Oscars in another memorable Bob Mackie outfit: The musician wore a midriff-baring black sequined cut-out dress, paired with an extravagant feathered headpiece.
Cher at the 1986 Academy Awards. Courtesy of Bettman Archive/Getty Images
McKee’s relationship with Cher dates back to the early 1970s. The fashion designer first met Cher when she was a guest on “The Carol Burnett Show,” for which he designed costumes. In 1971, he began designing Cher’s costumes for “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.”
Though Cher loved sequins, she also favored Mackie’s more simple styles: For the 1974 Academy Awards, for example, Cher opted for a vibrant, floral two-piece dress with a matching headpiece.
Cher and Mackie’s relationship remains strong. In March 2023, the pair reunited on the red carpet for NBC’s Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter and Love, where Cher wore a black sequined jacket by Bob Mackie paired with plaid pants.
The fashion world hasn’t let up on its support for the music icon either: In 2022, Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing tapped Cher to close his spring 2023 ready-to-wear show. Cher walked the runway in a sculptural silver bodysuit paired with chunky black boots.
Cher and Olivier Rousteing walk the runway at the Balmain Spring 2023 fashion show. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
“The word ‘style icon’ hardly sums up her achievements in defining fashion trends for more than half a century,” Rousteing said after the runway show, “and her incredible long-term commitment to selfless causes serves as an example to all in these challenging times when we must fight for long-overdue change.”
Earlier this month, Cher appeared on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” where she showed off her style in a lingerie-inspired bodysuit paired with a black blazer jacket and plaid pants.
With her bold sense of style and experimental spirit, Cher’s style is timeless and continues to command attention.
