Olympic Spirit

The 2012 London Olympic Games kicked off last night with the Opening Ceremonies.  The pageantry and spectacle was in full force in the way only the English can do it.  The Olympics have always had a special place in my heart ever since I was a kid.  The first games I can fully remember watching were the Barcelona games in 1992.  I do remember smatterings of the '88 Seoul games.  The 1984 Olympics were held in bright and shiny Los Angeles.  Sadly I don't remember anything from the Los Angeles games.  Bear in mind I was 3 years old.  I do recall some Sam the Eagle paraphernalia laying around the house for years to come.

Recently I had learned that the costumes for the opening and closing ceremonies of the '84 games were designed by Ray Aghayan.  Mr. Aghayan was the lifelong partner of Bob Mackie and passed away in October of 2011.  His talent will be greatly missed.  Aghayan designed 50 different costumes for the ceremonies, and they were duplicated for some 11,000 performers.  

There was even a flight suit for Bill Suitor who entered the arena via Jet Pack.  I wonder if this technology had anything to do with why the Soviets boycotted the games?

I hope the spirit of the games continues on through the 2012 London games.  I wish all the athletes the best of luck and urge them to remember the most important thing, if you can't win gold make sure to look fabulous while trying.  I'm off to watch rhythmic gymnastics followed by men's water polo!

-Philip Estrada

Lynda Carter

The fact that this happened makes me SO happy!  Bob Mackie designed the costumes for the Lynda Carter TV Special "Encore!" in 1980.  This was part of a musical medley that Lynda, most know as TV's Wonder Woman, performed describing her "Rock and Roll Fantasy."  She embodied the personas of Tina Turner, Bette Midler and KISS.  Believe you me... Gene Simmons never looked SO GOOD!

The video can be seen here

I really hope she has this costume hanging in her closet and occasionally breaks it out to reenact the number after a few martinis.

- Philip Estrada

Gold Diggers

I don't know about you, but I am VERY excited about "The Great Gatsby" movie coming out this Christmas.  If this movie is anything like Baz Luhrmann's last film, "Moulin Rouge" it is going to have a noticeable cultural impact.  Working in fashion I have already been seeing the influences of the flapper for a couple seasons and when the movie comes out it'll only be heightened further.

 I think Jubilee! should capitalize on this impending Roaring 20s craze. Through my endless research of the show I have found out that there once was a Gold Diggers number.  It must have been cut when they trimmed the show down to 90 minutes from 120.  I tracked down the original costume sketches that the University of Las Vegas has in their reference library. 

Original Bob Mackie sketches for the cut Gold Digger number.  

Unsigned but you can tell by the distinct way he draws hands.

I was delighted beyond belief when I saw a photo of this costume on Facebook.  Alexandra Freeman, until recently, a Jubilee showgirl has been generous enough to allow me to publish it here.  I would love to see this bad boy in action!  I can almost hear those gold coins a-tinklin'.

Follow Alexandra Freeman on Twitter

Maybe we'll see this costume back on the stage one day.  One can hope... I sure would love to see a chorus line of Bob Mackie clad Gold Diggers!

-Philip Estrada