5 Shocking Details About Miley Cyrus’s Vintage Bob Mackie Grammys Dress She Just Bought

The 2024 Grammy Awards will forever be etched in music history as the night Miley Cyrus finally claimed her first golden gramophones, but it was the dazzling, archival Bob Mackie gown she wore for her “Flowers” performance that became an instant fashion legend. This silver-beaded, cut-out masterpiece, which channeled the spirit of a true Broadway diva, was more than just a performance costume; it was a statement of artistic maturity and a deep appreciation for fashion history. As of late December 2025, the story of this dress has a fresh, final chapter: Cyrus herself purchased the iconic piece in a charity auction, cementing its place as a pivotal item in her personal and professional archive.

The decision to wear a vintage Bob Mackie design, a designer synonymous with Hollywood glamour and theatricality, was a deliberate choice that perfectly complemented her career-defining moment. The gown, a shimmering echo of 1970s showgirl chic, was an unexpected but critically acclaimed look that stood out among the night’s more contemporary couture. Its history, from its debut on the runway to its triumphant second life on the Grammy stage, makes it one of the most talked-about fashion moments of the year.

The Maestro of Glamour: A Bob Mackie Biography & Iconic Collaborations

To truly understand the significance of Miley Cyrus choosing a Bob Mackie piece, one must first appreciate the designer's monumental career. Robert Gordon Mackie, born on March 24, 1939, is an American fashion designer and costumier whose name is synonymous with over-the-top, dazzling, and unforgettable stage glamour.

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• Full Name: Robert Gordon Mackie
• Born: March 24, 1939 (Monterey Park, California)
• Career Focus: Fashion Design, Costume Design, Theatrical Costuming
• Signature Style: Known for extravagant, heavily embellished, and often illusionary designs, earning him the moniker "The Sultan of Sequins."
• Early Career Highlight: Secured early work with Hollywood costume designer Jean Louis, famously sketching the iconic dress worn by Marilyn Monroe for her "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" performance.
• Long-Term Collaborations: Most famously known for his decades-long partnership with Cher, designing her most audacious and recognizable looks. He was also the lead costume designer for *The Carol Burnett Show* for 11 years.
• Awards: Multiple Emmy Awards and a Tony Award for Best Costume Design.
• Impact: Mackie’s work is celebrated for merging high fashion with theatrical spectacle, making him the go-to designer for entertainment icons who want to make a bold, unforgettable statement.

The Vintage Gem: Unpacking the Details of the FW2002 Archival Gown

The dress Miley Cyrus wore to perform her two-time Grammy-winning hit, "Flowers," was a spectacular piece of archival fashion. It was a silver, fully beaded, fringe-heavy ensemble that perfectly captured the spirit of the designer's work.

From Broadway Runway to Grammy Stage

The gown is specifically from Bob Mackie's Fall/Winter 2002 Ready-to-Wear Collection. This collection was a celebrated tribute to the leading ladies of Broadway and Hollywood, featuring luscious evening gowns and elaborate showgirl outfits.

The collection, shown at New York Fashion Week, was praised for its extravagance and theatrical flair, a signature of Mackie’s work. The piece Miley wore—often described as a beaded dance dress, fringe body suit, or cut-out gown—was one of the collection's show-stopping looks, designed to move dynamically under stage lights.

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A Study in Silver Sequins and Strategic Cut-Outs

The dress itself is a visual marvel. It is constructed from a silver mesh fabric, completely covered in intricate beading and shimmering fringe. The design features a bralette top and strategic cut-outs that showcase a daring, confident silhouette.

The heavy fringe detailing, which extended from the bodice down to the hem, created incredible movement as Cyrus performed, making the dress an integral part of her performance choreography. The look was immediately compared to the iconic, sparkling, and often sheer gowns Cher wore in the 1970s, many of which were also designed by Mackie. Miley was channeling the ultimate Broadway Diva, a look that resonated perfectly with the designer's aesthetic.

The Pivotal Purchase: Why Miley Cyrus Bought Her Own Grammy Dress

The story of the dress took a fascinating and highly personal turn after the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. In a move that underscored the gown's personal significance, Miley Cyrus purchased the dress when it was put up for auction.

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The Auction and the Cause

The Bob Mackie archival dress was included in a historic collaboration auction hosted by Julien's Auctions and MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s charitable foundation. The auction was held to celebrate the intersection of fashion and music, with proceeds benefiting MusiCares, which provides health and human services for music professionals.

The fact that the dress was put up for a charitable cause, and that Cyrus chose to acquire it, added a layer of emotional and philanthropic value to the already historic garment. It was a full-circle moment for a dress that was present for the most significant wins of her career—Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Flowers."

Cyrus’s Sentimental Statement

Miley Cyrus did not keep her reasons for the purchase a secret, calling the moment "pivotal" in her career. She issued a statement through a press release, explaining the depth of her connection to the vintage garment.

“This dress represents more than a performance — it's a celebration of the relationship between music, artistry and glamour,” Cyrus stated. Her decision to buy the dress was a way of preserving a tangible piece of her career's defining moment. Archival fashion is not just a trend for Cyrus; it’s a way of paying homage to the legends who paved the way. By acquiring the FW2002 Bob Mackie gown, she has turned a temporary red-carpet moment into a permanent part of her personal history and a piece of music memorabilia.

The Bigger Fashion Picture

The Bob Mackie gown was one of five high-fashion looks Miley Cyrus wore throughout the 2024 Grammys ceremony, including her gold mesh opening dress by Maison Margiela. However, the Bob Mackie performance dress was arguably the most impactful, symbolizing a confident, uninhibited, and powerful new era for the pop star. Her embrace of vintage, high-glamour pieces like this Hollywood Legends gown signals a mature and informed approach to fashion, solidifying her status not just as a music icon, but as a serious fashion authority. Her appreciation for the designer's legacy, which includes dressing legends like Diana Ross and Barbra Streisand, further elevates her own standing.