Sadie Doyle

The Thrilling Adventure Hour rencetly launched a successful kickstarter campaign to fund a concert film DVD.  I had the pleasure of designing and constructing the gown for Miss Paget Brewster in the role of Sadie Doyle in the "Beyond Belief" portion of the show. 

If you are not familiar with Thrilling Adventure Hour you have been missing out!

I'm so lucky to be the designer of a character beloved by so many fans around the world. I hope I lived up to everyone's imagination! 

Paget Brewster shines on stage and the gown did a great job assisting. I can't wait for the DVD to be released so we can all see this gown in action. 

Photo generously provided by Liezl

My costume sketch for Paget Brewster's character Sadie Doyle

Gorgeous Photo by: Allan Amato

Frank and Sadie's signature 'clink.'

Gif generously provided by Liezl

-Philip Estrada

Restoration Hardware

*** CORRECTION *** - And a video!

I was mistaken when I mentioned that there was an airplane in stage during Hallelujah Hollywood. That was in Hello Hollywood Hello, a different Donn Arden production. Too many show to keep straight! Hallelujah Hollywood featured production numbers celebrating the MGM musicals such as "Kismet," "The Pirate" and "Meet Me In St. Louis."   The finale was a tribute to The Zeigfeld Follies. A big thanks to Grant for helping to keep the history straight!  

Also I wanted to include a video of the restored Bob Mackie in action. Grant Philipo did an amazing job making sure the costume still functioned as originally intended.  I'm could watch her sparkle for hours!! 

*** Original Post ***

By now, my affinity for showgirls should be quite obvious. As it turns out though I'm not alone, there is a Las Vegas Showgirl Museum! How I have managed to NOT visit this place is beyond me, but it is on the top of my to do list!

Grant Philipo, a former performer himself, runs and curates this haven for headdresses out in Las Vegas. In addition to displaying many costumes the museum also houses a collection of photos, videos and assorted show memorabilia.

The respect that Mr. Philipo and I share for all things showgirls sadly isn't a worldwide phenomenon. Many of the costumes for the curtained Vegas shows have been discarded, improperly stored and/or have fallen into disrepair. 

Grant recently finished restoring an original, circa 1978, backpack from"Hallelujah Hollywood" designed by Bob Mackie.  They have taken to calling her "The Golden Cage." It took him over two years to get her on display, but it was well worth the wait considering how far she came. 

Before

In Process

After - Take that daytime talks show make-overs!

The original design sketch by Bob Mackie is housed in the collections at The University of Las Vegas. 

"Hallelujah Hollywood" ran from 1974-1980 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (currently Bally's Hotel and Casino) and celebrated all things Hollywood. This included the signature MGM roaring lion, a Ziegfeld style finale and even a 747 on stage!  Because why not?! 

The show was closed to make way for "Jubilee!" which still runs to this day at Bally's Hotel and Casino. 

This is how the costume appeared on stage during the finale.  Not a lot of photos from this show are circulating anymore.  

Here are links for more information on The Las Vegas Showgirl Museum. I can't wait for my next Vegas trip. All showgirls all the time! Sorry Ryan...

Website- Las Vegas Showgirl Museum

Facebook Page- FACEBOOK

All photos courtesy of Grant Philipo

-Philip Estrada

Bionic Blonds

I am finally fully rested from another crazed fashion week working with the mad science design duo, The Blonds. It has been an insane three weeks of very little sleep due to working all day and then rushing to The Blonds to lend my talents. I can't complain though since it's always the most fun!

This season was unlike the previous ones in one major way... it was MASSIVE both in scale and beauty. This was the fifth anniversary of The Blonds showing at New York Fashion Week and for their tenth show they blasted off to a whole different galaxy!

This season the collection was inspired by David and Phillipe's favorite blondes including Marie Antoinette, Tweety Bird and Barbarella. 

This collection was the teams' most mature and ambitious collection to date. David and Phillipe challenged themselves by using new couture techniques thus raising the  level of their artistry to new heights.  The collection contained their signature mix of glamour, sex appeal, and razor sharp wit. 

Phillipe opened the show by slowly emerging from a silver glitter space suit like a butterfly from a strange new world.  The body suit he wore was encrusted in oversized flesh toned jewels.  It was as if his skin was made of jewels.  Whether or not this Blond came in peace is arguable but, the spectacle was undeniable. This was the perfect harbinger for the show to follow. 

I hope you enjoy the photos below of some of my favorite looks on the runway and backstage.  These include the ones I got the chance to work on. 

 

 

I can't wait for next season. 

-Philip Estrada

Cher-ing is Caring

With Cher's impending album release I felt that it would behoove me to revisit some of my favorite Cher Fashions. Clearly she looks the most epic when she is wearing Bob Mackie.
I LOVE this Pink and Orange gown with a chevron motif accented with silver.  The faux sheer panel across the bust with the chains is a tantalizing element but still remains elegant.  Not to mention the shawl reveal!  When Bob Mackie and Cher team up it's pure glamour!!!

Is anyone else as excited as I am about the costumes for this tour?!

-Philip Estrada

Blonds Have More Fun

Fashion Week is descending upon us quickly and there is nothing we can do about it. The best thing to do is lay back and let the glamour wash over you. I am quite a lucky boy... I am once again lending my grubby mits to the glittery design duo The Blonds. Bringing all that glamour and drama to the runway is no small feat. It takes a village to make a Blond.

To get you excited for this season's collection here is the video from February's Horror Movie themed show plus some of my favorite looks. 

-Philip Estrada

Reunited and it feel SO GOOD!

I woke up this morning to find out some very exciting news!
Our good friend Cher tweeted in the wee hours of the morning confirming that she will be once again donning Sequin Encrusted Bob Mackie masterpieces for her upcoming tour!

I am over the moon right now.
This means a whole new crop of Mackie-Cher creations.  Could I ask for anything more?
I could, but I don't want to get greedy.  I have never been so happy!

Below are some of my favorite creations Bob Mackie has designed for Cher.
CHER! CHER! CHER!!!!  Is any one else losing their minds?!
-Philip Estrada

LGBT Pride Courtesy of Cher

It's Pride here in NYC and in order to celebrate the occasion in style, Bloomingdales is hosting The Stonewall Pride Collection Exhibit. They are featuring looks from several LGBT designers, including everyone's favorite, Bob Mackie. On display are two looks that he designed for LGBT favorite, Cher!
The sequin Bob Mackie looks are from Cher's Caesars Palace show. There is a blue floral three dimensional sequin and bead encrusted gown with matching head piece. I love good headgear! Also shown is Cher's purple Zoot Suit and hat complete with pheasant plume.
This is a must see opportunity! Viewing Bob Mackie's work up close is almost indescribable. When seen from a distance, the dazzling look enhances the wearer but when zoomed in on each section the embellishment becomes a work of art on its own, like a microscopic mosaic. This is yet another reason why I am so inspired by Mackie. He has an ability to see the overall effect of the look as well as seeing all the detail and beauty that goes into the piece.
The Stonewall Pride Exhibition is being hosted at Bloomingdales' Uptown location (Broadway and 59th street) on the third floor through June 30th. Swing by if you can.

 

 

-Philip Estrada

Mondays Are A Drag

Mondays are a drag and everyone knows it.  But this Monday promises to be a whole different kettle of fishy realness.  "What's so different about this Monday?"  Why this, you silly queen!

 

The Raja of Rhinestones returns to RuPaul's Drag Race tomorrow (Check yours local listings).  Bob Mackie and Marg Helgenberger lend their expertly honed skills to help Ru judge The Girls.  Mackie will be inspecting the ladies ability to sparkle while Marg will be collecting forensic evidence about their tuck jobs (she used to be on CSI).  So you better pop your corn in advance and set your DVR's to WOOORK!  And if Ru knows what's good for her she'll make sure that gown is a Mackie!

Just for herstory's sake here is RuPaul wearing a worktastic Bob Mackie creation for the 1995 VH1 Fashion and Music Awards.  Work those wings hunty!

-Philip Estrada

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. MACKIE

Today is Bob Mackie's Birthday!  

Let's all raise our glasses to a True Legend!

I hope you have a wonderful birthday Mr. Mackie!

-Philip Estrada

Tansy Tan Dora - A Sneak Peek

I'm proud to announce something that has been in the works since before Christmas!  I have started collaborating with one of New York's favorite burlesque dancers, Tansy Tan Dora. 

Tansy just tweeted a sneak peek preview of the costume I made for her.  She's been developing a new act to tour around stages across this great nation.  Certainly more to come on this developing story!  Stay tuned.

Check Tansy out on Twitter

-Philip Estrada