When Sabrina Carpenter showed up at the VMA Studio 54 afterparty, she did it in the most ’70s way possible—wearing a stunning Bob Mackie original, the same silhouette the famed designer made specifically for Cher in 1975 when she shared the stage with Tina Turner on The Cher Show.
The archival wonder was actually one of two looks Mackie crafted for Cher and Turner’s performance of “Shame, Shame, Shame.” The historic pieces were intentionally designed to be similar, with slight differences in the placement of the blue and pink ribbon fringe that draped over black bodysuits. Both gowns were sold in an auction a few years ago, so we’re not sure how Carpenter’s squad landed the coveted look, but we’re forever thrilled they pulled it off.
The dazzling, disco-infused gown—with its cascade of glittering shapes and sculpted lines—epitomizes Bob Mackie’s signature blend of glamour and drama. On Cher, it amplified the brash confidence of 1970s television spectacle; on Sabrina Carpenter, it breathed new life into the classic, proving that Mackie’s original vision is not only timeless but eternally in style, 50 years later.
