The Rajah of Rhinestones

Bob Mackie has led a charmed life - an outrageously camp man, he made his fortune designing outrageously camp frocks for a pantheon of divas, as well as for numerous Vegas burlesque extravaganzas, and even Carol Burnett's TV show (which was a huge hit in America but never made a dent here in the UK).

His client list reads like a roll-call of Patron Saints here at Dolores Delargo Towers: Judy Garland, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Tina Turner, Shirley MacLaine, Mitzi Gaynor, Celia Cruz, Ann-Margret, Agnes Moorehead, Carol Channing, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Chita Rivera, Joan Collins, and many, many more.

Of course, his most enduring - and possibly most outré - of all professional relationships is with Cher. And aren't we grateful for that?!













"If a woman is going to do an hour and a half onstage, and she’s just in a little black dress, she’d better be Judy Garland. You’re there to see her, you’re not just listening. So there needs to be something visual. At the same time, if you don’t make them look good, you’ve defeated the purpose of putting something on them. It’s all about making them look thinner and taller and fabulous. "

“We live in a jeans and T-shirt world but we all want to live in a palace ... We're not trying to attract the masses here. We're looking for a special person who's looking for something special.”

"I've been called the Sultan of Sequins, the Rajah of Rhinestones and the King of Glitz. I probably have more titles than any other designer."

Bob Mackie (born 24th March 1940)

"Visitors were mesmerised"

Bette Midler is to auction off several of her stage costumes, including the mermaid gown she wore during her Las Vegas residency.

"The Collection of Bette Midler contains over 300 items from her life and career. Midler is one of the few performers instantly known by their first name, and is regarded by all as “The Divine Miss M.” Since her debut album in 1972, she has sold over 30 million records worldwide. Her Oscar-nominated role in The Rose established her as a premier actress in motion pictures, and she has conquered the worlds of Broadway, television and the concert stage in a career that spans over 40 years."

Highlights include many of her most famous dresses and costumes, including masterpieces by Bob Mackie, Bob De Mora, Valentino and Pucci (and even a leopardskin straightjacket!).



Among my favourites is the outfit she wore on the cover of the 1998 album Bathhouse Betty:



The "Dolores De Lago" mermaid outfits [she's even selling off the wheelchairs!]:



And these beauties:



From the BBC:

Midler is also selling off a pair of crystal platform shoes that were given to her by Cher in the 1970s.

"They were sensational, but a bit hard to walk in without falling down," Midler said in the catalogue that accompanies the items.

"So I put them on display in my house. Visitors were mesmerised."

The Collection of Bette Midler is to be auctioned on Saturday 12th November 2011 by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California.

Visit the auction website

Some of the proceeds will be donated to Bette's very own creation, the New York Restoration Project - a non-profit organisation which focuses on restoring small parks and community areas.