THE DARK LADY’S WARDROBE

outfits with then-husband Sonny Bono, with whom she released several songs One 1968 portrait session had the two posed in fur jackets, and they often matched one another in public

Whatever Cher did, she did over the top

As well as winning multiple music awards, including the Billboard icon award, she was a TV and film star She had The Sonny and Cher Show with her husband for a whole decade, as well as winning an Oscar for her acting in Moonstruck in 1986

This theme of excess spilled over into her wardrobe, showcasing some of the most outlandish fashion moments of the 20th century, whether that was at award shows or in portrait sessions that took place in her own home

Cher arrived to the 1974 Met Gala dazzling in a sheer gown where the only covering offered were small sequins in traversing patterns, with sleeves and legs that billowed into plumes of white feathers at the end

This look defined the Met Gala that year, inspiring the ‘naked gown’ trend of decades later, most famously seen on Kim Kardashian in 2022

Throughout her career, Cher worked very closely with designer Bob Mackie, whom she had met on the set of The Carol Burnett Show, when she appeared as a guest Mackie’s very flamboyant style matched Cher’s, and he designed many of her most iconic outfits, including the naked gown

This cut-out dress (above) from 1972 was worn for an at-home portrait session whilst Sonny and Cher was on air It is a complex design with bold patterns, a long train, and daring cut outs that displayed Cher’s statuesque long torso Cher’s iconic hoop earrings and high ponytail that cascaded down her back were also features

Mackie designed this black sequin look (below) with a matching feather headdress which was also incredibly over-the-top Worn to collect her Oscar in 1986, the daring outfit featured a fully bared midriff and matching crop top and skirt with zig-zag edges in sparkly black The top had a lattice detail seen on the singer/actress’s choker as well The whole look was topped off by a large feather headdress

Cher herself said that she wore the outfit to hit back at the Academy members who did not take her seriously

At 71 years old, Cher took to the stage at the Billboard Awards in a sheer jumpsuit over lingerie, replicating her 2010 VMA look (above). These two outfits “turned back time” to what is possibly Cher’s most iconic song: “If I Could Turn Back Time”.

In the video for this number one hit of 1989, Cher wore a similar look She even donned a large black curly wig at the award shows to mirror the original outfit

The outfit, condemned by military personnel, was daring when Cher wore it at 42; her rewearing it at 71 reflected her bold and non-conformist approach to fashion

Cher is, among all things, an icon Her fashion sense is but an extension of her over-the-top and uniquely Cher approach to life It seemed as if she saw dressing herself as an artform, never missing an opportunity to be avantgarde and entirely new

She once said, “I’ve never compromised who I am, not ever. If I’ve gotten anywhere in life it’s been on my own merits ”

To read more of Em’s work, go to her twitter @emponcia

Images via Instagram @Cher and via respective record companies