Turning Back Time: Zendaya Honours Cher In Vintage Bob Mackie Couture

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 19: Zendaya attends the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony streaming on Disney+ at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 19, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

Few people in Hollywood have managed to make a mononym work as well as Cher and Zendaya. And over the weekend, the two icons came together when the latter had the honour of introducing the former during the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024 induction ceremony.

Zendaya even paid homage to the music legend’s signature style in a rare vintage Bob Mackie for the special occasion—pulled by the ever-resourceful Law Roach, no doubt.

The look, which hails from the designer’s Fall 2001 collection, Foreign Intrigue, featured a layered halterneck and glittery straps that crossed over along the torso. Its skirt hung low and draped effortlessly over her hips while showing plenty of leg courtesy of a dramatic front slit. She completed the Cher-isms with long, straight hair parted down the centre and gold stilettos.

Though this isn’t the first time the Challengers actress has worn a Mackie number—she opted for a  Fall 1999 gown for the 2022 TIME 100 Gala—her likeness to Cher was uncanny.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 19: Zendaya attends the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony  (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 19: Zendaya attends the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony  (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

The look was a nod to a similar Bob Mackie ensemble sported by Cher in 1972—one of many collaborations from the two.

After meeting in 1967 when Mackie dressed Cher for an appearance on The Carol Burnett Show, the two hit it off, and before long, the designer was creating a handful of custom looks for her when The Sonny and Cher Show—and its incredible wardrobe—became a hit. And just like that, fashion history was made.

CIRCA 1972: Entertainer Cher poses for a portrait in circa 1972. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Tasked with the honour of introducing Cher for the ceremony, Zendaya gushed about the star, who was being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame over the weekend.

“Where do I even begin? Cher is not one person,” she said to the crowd. “Her name is just as legendary as her legacy.”

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 19: Inductee Cher and Zendaya speak onstage during the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) 

Backstage, the two posed with fellow icon Dua Lipa, who has also had a whirl at channelling the Believe singer at the 2021 Grammys.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 19: (L-R) Dua Lipa, Cher and Zendaya are seen backstage at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)