By Lamisa Bhuiyan
Cher, arguably one of the most iconic pop culture legends of our time, has proven that she remains a fashion icon throughout time. Beginning her career as a part of Sonny and Cher, alongside her then-husband Sonny, Cher became the epitome of the 1960s aesthetic. The 60s, most notable for the hippie movement, carried trends such as youthful, bright patterns and hues, rejection of traditional styles, and colorful makeup. The movement welcomed uniqueness and individuality while rejecting societal norms. Both Sonny and Cher embraced elements of hippie fashion throughout their musical reign.
A photograph of Sonny and Cher in 1968 (left) and vintage dolls made to resemble the pair (right)
After the pop duo split and divorced, Cher continued to gain immense popularity, and she went on to star in her TV show called Cher. Critics soon declared Cher “one of the best things that’s happened to weekly television.”
Shortly after the show stopped airing, Cher stepped back into music, releasing two albums. Throughout the rest of her career, she switched between acting and music quite frequently. During the peak of Cher’s acting career, she received nominations and won significant awards at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Cannes Film Festival Awards. When being snubbed for her performance in Mask, Cher donned a two-piece jeweled dress and feathered headdress designed by Bob Mackie. When asked about the dress, Cher said, “I had the idea mostly because the Academy didn’t really like me. They hated the way I dressed and I had young boyfriends so they thought I wasn’t serious.” Though snubbed in 1986, Cher would go on to win Best Actress for her performance in Moonstruck in 1988.
Cher is no stranger to legendary red carpet-looks. In 1978, Cher and Sonny attended the Oscars, and she wore a gold two-piece look (that has since been recreated by Kim Kardashian). The following year, she attended the Oscars, wearing a colorful two-piece set and floral accessories in her hair.
Cher with her Best Actress Oscar (left), Cher and Sonny at the 45th Academy Awards (middle), and Cher at the 46th Academy Awards (right)
Bob Mackie and Cher soon became a dynamic duo, and he designed many of her looks. When the pair attended the 1974 Met Ball, Cher was seen wearing a long sheer dress embellished with Swarovski crystals and fringed ends. This dress soon became dubbed the “Naked Dress” and became the originator of a timeless trend. Most notably, Rihanna wore a “naked dress” at the 2014 CFDA Awards, which soon became an iconic outfit in its own right.
Cher and Bob Mackie at the 1974 Met Gala (left) and Rihanna at the 2014 CFDA Awards (right)
The pair first met on the set of The Carol Burnett Show at the beginning of Cher’s career. Mackie's styles were often unconventional, and he kept that theme of rejecting societal norms in his work. His work is meant to promote self-expression and creativity. Most of the looks were crafted like an art piece, with many of them embellished with fringe, lace, and intricate beadwork. After taking a walkthrough of some of Cher’s most notable looks, there is no doubt that she has cemented herself as a forever fashion icon.
