Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie will receive the King Vidor Award for Excellence in Filmmaking on April 28 during the 31st annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival.
Mackie’s illustrious career spans six decades. Known for his daring, innovative designs, he has dressed some of the world’s most celebrated entertainers, including Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Elton John, Miley Cyrus, P!nk, Tina Turner, and Zendaya. His creations have left an indelible mark on both fashion and entertainment, from stage and television, to film and the red carpet.
With nine Emmy Awards, three Oscar nominations, and a Tony Award, Mackie’s daring, boundary-pushing work has been an inspiration to generations of designers, performers, and fans around the world.
“Bob Mackie is a true icon in the entertainment world,” according to Skye McLennan, SLOIFF executive director. “We’re thrilled to not only honor his legacy, but also to spend time with him and celebrate his extraordinary contributions to art, fashion, and film.
His visionary designs have not only defined eras but have also inspired generations of creatives across the globe.”
A screening of a new documentary about his extraordinary career, Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion, is scheduled at 4 p.m. on April 28, followed by a reception and Q&A at the Hotel San Luis Obispo with Mackie and Joe McFate, design director with the Bob Mackie Design Group.
The film, directed by Matthew Miele (Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s, Always at The Carlyle), reveals the intricate craftsmanship behind Mackie’s most extravagant and celebrated pieces of wearable art.
More than a tribute to one great costume designer, however, the documentary is a tribute to the artistry of costume design and the transformative power of fashion. It features interviews with Mackie collaborators, clients, and admirers, including Cher, P!nk, Tom Ford, Miley Cyrus, RuPaul Charles, and Carol Burnett.
Past recipients of the King Vidor Award for Excellence in Filmmaking include Josh Brolin, Heather Graham, Pam Grier, Peter Bogdanovich, Jeff Bridges, Ann-Margret, Morgan Freeman, Eva Marie Saint, and Peter Fonda.
Editor’s Note: See A Conversation with Bob Mackie for a peek into Mackie’s life and work.