The legendary Bob Mackie shares what he has his designs on next.

BY LENORA CLAIRE

While many of us would find it difficult to function in the presence of such singular named superstars as Madonna and Cher, designer Bob Mackie's custom creations have become as iconic as the performers themselves. But how does one go from simple Southern California native to being hailed as the Sultan of Sequins and Rajah of Rhinestones, dressing everyone from Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, Carol Channing, and Elton John?

According to Mackie, whose early influences came from, “going to the movies and seeing all of the glamour of the ‘40s and ‘50s growing up,” it wouldn't be long before he was embraced by the Technicolor titans that inspired him in his youth. By his early 20s the fresh-out-of-school Mackie was already working beside Edith Head at Paramount. Of those days Mackie recalls, “Edith always had a few sketch artists working with her. She let you run with the script and the idea. I really enjoyed working with her because she allowed me to be more creative.”

Shortly after Mackie began work on The Judy Garland Show, his youthful bravado quickly gained attention, making him the most sought after “hip and happening mod” designer of 60's television. Mackie then caught the eye of Mitzi Gaynor who commissioned him to create the wardrobe for her Las Vegas reviews and TV specials. After seeing Gaynor's show, Carol Burnett fell so in love with his work that she hired him to design the entire wardrobe for The Carol Burnett Show, where he remained for the entire 11 years it was on the air.

Mackie then began one of his most famous and photographed working relationships with Cher in 1970 on The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. When asked if he had a favorite of the many jaw-dropping, eye-popping looks he's created for her over the years, Mackie replied, “there is this dress I designed for Cher that was photographed by Richard Avedon that made the cover of Time magazine. That was very special because we didn't know it was coming out. In those days Time was very important and they didn't put photos of ladies in beaded dresses on the cover”.

Fans of the Mackie-Cher collaboration will be thrilled to know the artist and his muse will be working together once again as Mackie is already designing the wardrobe for Cher's upcoming Vegas shows. When asked what to expect Mackie said, “at this point in her career people want to see her doing songs and moments she is known for so we have to bring it back in a new way yet keep it nostalgic so it's a little tricky. You want everyone to be entertained visually and surprised but at the same time you have to have her in her Indian war bonnet singing Half breed which takes us back to 1970-whatever. It's fun but if she didn't sing those songs people would be disappointed.”

While Mackie is most famous for his decadent designs, many fail to realize he also shows fantastic and functional designs for everyday women at Bryant Park. When asked about his less known but vast range of designs Mackie said, “when you start as a costume designer you get known for the flashier things because that's what gets noticed. People think that is all you know how to do but that's ok. I go across the board on things. I can do a couture gown to-do to an elegant affair, or I make clothes for QVC that many women can wear. I want every woman to be able to wear the same blouse and be happy. Or I can do a show in Vegas, which I'm doing right now. You have to look at who you're designing for and go from there.”

When asked if there are any rising stars he would like to work with Mackie was quick to answer “I think Cate Blanchett is a wonderful actress who always looks amazing, even when pregnant. Gwen Stefani has a great deal of style in that rock and roll kind of way. A lot of people are controlled by the stylists and do what they're told. I think Amy Winehouse has a lot of personal style but she makes me nervous.”

Having dressed everyone from surgically enhanced style makers to the completely plastic fantastic Barbie, I had to ask what style advice Mackie had for the rest of us. “If a real Barbie walked in the door we would think it was weird. What is the perfect body? People are human beings. Nobody is that perfect, perfect, person. Look at the mirror at yourself. Don't buy what the latest trend is. Find out what looks great for you.

Join Bob Mackie as he is honored with the Inaugural Fashion Arts Award by the Hollywood Arts Council at the 22nd Annual Charlie awards Sat., March 29 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.hollywoodartscouncil.org, or call 323/462-2355.