{"id":992113,"date":"2026-11-14T19:03:46","date_gmt":"2026-11-15T00:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=992113"},"modified":"2026-11-13T05:23:21","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T10:23:21","slug":"cher-naked-dress-met-gala-1974-bob-mackie","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/cher-naked-dress-met-gala-1974-bob-mackie\/","title":{"rendered":"In 1974, Cher Wore a Dress So Daring It Changed Red Carpet Fashion Forever \u2014 52 Years Later, Everyone Is Still Copying Her"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"cher\"
Cher attends the 12th Annual CFDA Awards at Lincoln Center in New York City circa 1993. (Photo by Sonia Moskowitz\/ Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sheer gowns ruled the steps of the Metropolitan Museum this May, yet one guest had been perfecting the look for over half a century.<\/p>\n

Cher<\/strong>, who returned to the Met Gala<\/strong> at 79 after an 11-year break, practically invented the red carpet naked dress<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s crop of see-through gowns owes her more than a little gratitude. Her secret weapon had a name, and it was Bob Mackie.<\/p>\n

A Partnership Made of Sequins<\/h1>\n

\"\"Cher and Bob Mackie<\/strong>, fashion designer, began working together on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour<\/em> in the early \u201970s. Their creative partnership lasted for decades, turning every stage and red carpet into a runway. Mackie adored beads and feathers as much as she did.<\/p>\n

The Feathered Gown That Started It All<\/h1>\n

In 1974, Cher arrived at the Met Gala with Mackie in a sheer gown scattered with silver beading. White feathers fluttered at the sleeves and hem, and the night\u2019s Hollywood glamour theme suddenly felt very daring.<\/p>\n

\"\"When Mackie asked what she wanted to wear, Cher simply chose \u201cthe dress with the feathers.\u201d He later recalled the moment in the documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion<\/em>.<\/p>\n

At the time, the look was considered shockingly provocative. Cher kept going anyway, slipping into sheer creation after sheer creation and earning the nickname Queen of the Naked Dress<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Two Oscar Nights, Two Legendary Looks<\/h1>\n
\"\"
At the 1986 Academy Awards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the 1986 Academy Awards, she wore a towering black Mackie headdress with a beaded, midriff-baring ensemble.<\/p>\n

Two years later, she accepted her Best Actress Oscar for Moonstruck<\/em> in a sheer black Mackie gown.<\/p>\n

\"\"
At the 1988 Academy Awards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Music Video Too Hot for Daytime<\/h1>\n
\"\"
Cher performs her song ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’, 1989 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1989, Cher filmed If I Could Turn Back Time<\/em> aboard a battleship in a sheer black Mackie bodysuit. MTV reportedly aired it only late at night, which made it even more legendary.<\/p>\n

Her 2026 Met Gala Return Came Full Circle<\/h1>\n
\"\"
Cher attends the 2026 Met Gala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This May, Cher revisited her own legend in custom Burberry<\/strong> by Daniel Lee. A semi-sheer black silk-tulle dress met a leather corset and a cropped jacket glittering with black crystals.<\/p>\n

Her Heirs Are Everywhere<\/h1>\n

\"\"Rihanna<\/strong>\u2019s crystal-covered Adam Selman gown at the 2014 CFDA Awards carries Cher\u2019s daring DNA. So does Beyonc\u00e9<\/strong>\u2019s sheer Givenchy look at the 2015 Met Gala.<\/p>\n

Fifty-two years later, those feathers still flutter through every sheer gown on the red carpet. Cher, it seems, really could turn back time. Long may she shimmer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42787,"featured_media":992159,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[17],"yoast_head":"\nIn 1974, Cher Wore a Dress So Daring It Changed Red Carpet Fashion Forever \u2014 52 Years Later, Everyone Is Still Copying Her - Grazia USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cher\u2019s Bob Mackie gown at the 1974 Met Gala launched the naked dress trend. 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