Following the news that a film about Cher is in the works, we revisit some of the star’s most elaborate outfits we want to see featured
Cher is having a moment right now – although, let’s be honest, when isn’t Cher having a moment. Last month, Zendaya looked to the star for inspiration for her Valentino gown and sweeping hair at the Oscars, while Dua Lipa paid tribute with a Swarovski crystal butterfly motif dress at this year’s Grammys. And now a new biopic all about Cher’s life and six decade-long career has been announced.
Throughout her career, Cher has pushed the boundaries of fashion and (in the eyes of TV execs) common decency – one of the first women to show her belly button on television, it was censored by CBS on The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour in the early 1970s. Always ready to take a risk and make a statement, if an outfit was sheer, feathered, sequined, or midriff-baring, chances are Cher would be wearing it. A close partnership with costume designer Bob Mackie has resulted in some of the most outrageous looks over the years, the impact of which continues to be felt, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Emily Ratajkowski referencing Cher in their fashion.
While we await more details around the upcoming film, we’ve looked back through the archives to revisit some of the ensembles we need to see featured.
Met Gala 1974, the Naked Dress
Even amidst a sea of outrageous looks, this dress Cher wore to the 1974 Met Gala stands out. Created by Bob Mackie, the dress was made of souffle, a French fabric which at the time was outlawed in the US, which was then sprayed down so it stuck to Cher’s body. Dubbed the “Naked Dress”, it caused a stir with the press and then with the public when Cher wore it again on the cover of TIME magazine. Several cities banned the issue, while those that didn’t sold out immediately.
Over four decades later, Kim Kardashian referenced the look with her Roberto Cavalli dress at the 2015 Met Gala, while in 2018 Dua Lipa recreated the dress for a live performance in Paris.
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour 1974, Laverne
Cher’s most famous character from the early days of her variety show with Sonny, Laverne is a housewife with a terrifically tacky sense of style and a catty sense of humour. Catty also describes her fashion which includes a leopard print jumpsuit and cat’s-eye glasses which she paired with a lime green cardigan worn over the shoulders, a gold belt, and plenty of jewellery.
Cher... and Other Fantasies 1979, the leopard print bodysuit
It’s almost impossible to choose just one outfit from the madcap smorgasbord of fashion on display during the 1979 TV special Cher… and Other Fantasies. The film, which earned Mackie an Emmy nomination for costume design, saw Cher dress up as a range of historical figures including Eve and Cleopatra, as well as a scantily-clad horned creature among other looks. It is the absolutely bananas leopard print bodysuit that really stands out though, thanks to its long tapering limbs that have been draped around the set alongside her long flowing hair. It’s incredibly weird, and it’s great.
Academy Awards 1986, the Mohawk dress
Named by Cher as one of her favourite ever outfits, the Mohawk dress was created for her by Bob Mackie for the 1986 Oscars. Featuring a geometric top and skirt, black cashmere shawl and absolutely massive headpiece, the ensemble was Cher’s way of saying fuck you to the Academy. “I had the idea mostly because the Academy didn’t really like me. They hated the way I dressed and I had young boyfriends and they just thought I wasn’t serious,” she explained to Vogue. So, she went to Mackie with an idea for a mohawk and an outfit that was “so over the top that it’s next week”.
Love Hurts Tour 1992, leather leotard with chains
Cher turned rocker for her 1992 Love Hurts tour with this patent leather bondage outfit complete with chains, lacing, and fishnets. The only non-Mackie outfit on this list, the name of the designer who created it has been lost to time and Cher herself can no longer remember it. She does remember, however, that she wasn’t entirely happy with it. “The proportions were not exactly right,” she said about the look. “I love the idea of it and I love everything but right where it goes to the crotch, it’s not right.”