As the host of tonight’s 2026 CFDA Awards in New York City, one imagines that Keke Palmer felt a certain pressure to deliver us a major fashion moment. The annual awards ceremony, after all, is all about celebrating American style and design. And the good news is, Palmer certainly did not disappoint on that front.
The star went archival this evening—as she is wont to do—hitting the red carpet in a one-of-a-kind (and incredibly rare) Bob Mackie piece from the 1970s. The dress has a particularly noteworthy history: The strappy, shimmery-gold gown was originally custom-made for actor and singer Raquel Welch, which she wore to perform “I’m a Woman” alongside Cher on The Cher Show back in 1975. (You’ve all seen the clip.)
Photo: Getty Images
Turns out, the iconic piece of pop culture was sourced from the professional vintage dealer Timeless Vixen—a celebrity favorite that Sabrina Carpenter and Kylie Jenner also use for their extremely rare red carpet pulls. “When Keke’s styling team reached out looking for something special by Bob Mackie, this piece immediately came to mind,” says Lauren Lepire, owner of Timeless Vixen. “I’ve always adored his work, and with his recent passing, it’s especially meaningful to see Keke bring such an iconic design back into the spotlight.”
Fashion lost Mackie back in September, and the late designer—known for his impeccable, expressive glitz—was responsible for dressing everyone from Cher to Carol Burnett. On Palmer, his signature glamorous aesthetic shone just as brightly and served as proof that a classic Bob Mackie will never go out of style—and, in fact, only gets more and more in-demand.
