Current Obsession- Marlene Dietrich & Jean Louis

Right now I'm having a Marlene moment. Specifically during her "let' tour the world singing my signature tunes" period.

Marlene Dietrich graced stages from Sweden to Las Vegas ensconced top to tails in beads, rhinestones and not much else!  All this finery was provided by the genius talents of Hollywood Legend Maker, Jean Louis.

Jean Louis will forever be remembered for designing the infamous nude gown for Marilyn Monroe when she sang Happy Birthday at 'a friend's' birthday party.

Previous post about the Marilyn gown and it being illustrated by Bob Mackie. 

The nude embellished gown became a signature Marlene Dietrich. Bob Mackie is also known for his nude embellished looks and gladly points to his former boss as his source of inspiration. 

 

 

Just look at those photos, I mean come on! That is the epitome of 'Legend' with a capital "L."
One day I would like to make one of these bad boys. All I need a girl and a reason...

Who should that girl be?

Philip Estrada

A Very Mackie Christmas

Christmas is once again upon us!  I hope that everyone enjoys all the holiday season has to offer!  My gift to you is, besides my radiating beauty, is this video I pilfered from Youtube (times are tough, don't judge).

May I present Mrs. Judy Garland, and her children, Lorna and Joe.  Liza is off skating with her beau.  Notice her fur trimmed wide necked gown... it was designed by Mr. Ray Aghayan.  Gotta love his use of brocade. 

Also for your viewing pleasures here is the original costume illustration by Mr. Bob Mackie!

Merry Christmas to you all my little Mack-inistas!  May the season be encrusted with rhinestone filled wonderment!

-Philip Estrada

Celebrating the Life of Ray Aghayan

Ray Aghayan

1928-2011

Today Hollywood lost a great talent and Mr. Mackie lost his long time partner.  Bob Mackie has worked with Ray Aghayan since almost the beginning of his career when he was assisting him on The Judy Garland Show.  Aghayan was instrumental in getting the Academy of TV Art and Sciences to recognize the work of the costume designers and won the first Emmy along side Bob Mackie for their work in Alice Through the Looking Glass in 1967.  They worked together on many other memorable and colorful projects including movies, TV Specials, and the Vegas Show "Hallelujah Hollywood".  

Bob Mackie and Aghayan opened a Costume Studio in North Hollywood where they both worked out of.  Mr. Mackie lost a dear friend today and my heart goes out to him and all of Mr. Aghayan's family and friends.  His talent will be missed.





- Philip Estrada

Happy Birthday Marilyn!

Today is the birthday of THE sex symbol of the 20th century.  Marilyn  Monroe was amazing and will never be replaced.  Check out this beautiful print of her by Bob Mackie.  Only 275 were made.  The piece was auctioned off at Christie's in 2005 and went for $777.  10% of the proceeds went to Elton John's AIDS Foundation.

Mr. Mackie is such a talented and generous man.

- Philip Estrada

A New Kind of Love

Since this weekend is a holiday I wanted to share with you a beautiful sketch to set the tone.  Mr. Mackie did a lot of costume illustration for many studio costume designers including this one for Edith Head.  This illustration was for one of the showgirls in the movie "A New Kind Of Love" (1963).  I love this sketch!  Bob Mackie must have been using this opportunity to hone his craft for when Vegas would be tapping him for Jubilee in 1979.

It was actually a couple of sketches from "A New Kind of Love" that allowed me to meet Mr. Mackie, I'll be forever greatful to Eva Gabor.  See Story Here.

I hope everyone enjoys the sketch, and their weekend!

- Philip Estrada

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAROL!

Happy Birthday to Miss Carol Burnett!

Costume sketch for the "Carol Burnett Show"

A gown designed by Bob Mackie for "The Carol Burnett Show"

- Philip Estrada

A Star Was Born

Today is the 69th Birthday of Miss Barbra Streisand.  In her honor enjoy these costume design sketches from her appearance on "The Judy Garland Show" from 1963.  The looks were designed by Ray Aghayan and were illustrated by his assistant.  You may have heard of him.  His name is Bob Mackie.

Happy Birthday Barbra!  You're our favorite Funny Girl.

- Philip Estrada

Baby It's You

The boyfriend and I scored a couple free tickets to a preview performance of "Baby It's You" opening soon on Broadway.  This is the all new musical based on Scepter Records founder, Florence Greenberg's involvement in creating the all girl group The Shirelles.  At one point in the show The Shirelles were named the #1 Girl Group of ALL TIME!  Inevitably times changed and they had to step aside when Diana Ross and her Mackie-clad Supremes marched into town.  Oh Diana and the Supremes... how awesome were they?!

Sadly the show wasn't all that exciting. The songs didn't stay with you like other shows.  In my opinion the best number was actually the Dionne Warwick character singing "Walk On By." 

We must change the subject to happier thoughts, such as:

A trio of Motown beauties decked from head to toe in the sweet sweet Mackie goodness!  This is from Diana Ross and the Supremes - GIT On Broadway; a TV special with The Temptations in 1969.  Here they perform a couple songs from Porgy & Bess for your enjoyment. 

I need to get a job with Mr. Mackie ASAP.  When I watch this video my only thought is how fun it would have been to sequin those gowns!  I got sparkles on the brain!

-Philip Estrada

Mad For Mackie

 This little show called "Mad Men" will be beginning to film its 5th season after the "powers that be" finish sqabbling over money.  You may have heard of the program, it's on AMC, that's a basic cable channel.  One of the many beautiful aspects of this show is the Janie Bryant designed costumes.  Season 4 of “Mad Men” took place in 1966 and the gang looked as slick and sexy as ever.

2 of Aghayan's desgins for Judy illustrated by Bob Mackie

TV in the 60s brings to mind the designers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.  The costume designers of TV shows worked much like the movie designers of that time.  The difference being that all of the actors’ clothing had to be designed and made on a WEEKLY basis!!  Luckily a young Robert Mackie was there to save the day.  Mr. Mackie’s first break was as Ray Aghayan’s assistant on “The Judy Garland Show” in 1963.  His main responsibility was to illustrate Aghayan’s designs.   Could you imagine how a call like that would have gone between Bob and his headhunter? 

As well as working with Aghayan on other projects Bob Mackie also began designing various projects on his own.  His 1960s highlights include: designing a Flying butterfly costume for Lucille Ball for the first episode of the “Danny Thomas Show”, Episodes of “Hollywood Palace” and the TV Special “Mitzi” starring Mitzi Gaynor.

Costume Illustration for Lucille Ball on the Danny Thomas Show

Being that Mr. Mackie worked extensively on TV through the 60s and 70s I feel he would be an amazing resource for the costume team on “Mad Men”.  What better way to get information than from the original source?  I have a feeling Bob may still have some of his original gowns or sketches in storage.  Since Mr. Mackie owns a custom costume shop it would be easy for him to fabricate anything Janie may need for wardrobe.  A collaboration by these two designers could be great for the shows aesthetic as well as a PR bonanza for both parties.  If needed I can be called in to take notes, help with the sewing, and cater to their every need.  I am a VERY valuable worker.

What do you guys, the die hard "Mad Men" fans think?  Thoughts?

-Philip Estrada