Bob Mackie Revived One Of Elton John’s Most Iconic Costumes

Singer Elton John closed out his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at LA’s Dodger Stadium on 20 November. “Tonight is a very special night, a very emotional night for me,” John said shortly after performing “Philadelphia Freedom” on the piano. “It’s been a long journey.” The choice of location was significant, given it’s where John performed a series of sold-out stadium concerts back in 1975 – and where he sported one of his most iconic costumes of all time. You may remember the fully-sequined LA Dodgers baseball uniform he wore, designed by Bob Mackie, master of stage style. It’s a look so memorable that stars like Harry Styles have even replicated it today.

For John’s farewell concert at the famous location, he and Mackie partnered up once again to revive the Dodgers look – though it had a different look and feel this time around. They started with the hat: Mackie wanted to replicate the exact crystal and pearl-encrusted “LA” baseball cap, as the original was lost years ago. “Since we didn’t have the original hat in our hands, and it was 47 years ago, we had to depend on our memory and photos,” Mackie tells Vogue. “But this is as close to the original as possible.” The statement piece was made using “royal-blue sequin yardage, crystal rhinestones set in white in two different sizes, and white embroidery with large, rhinestone buttons on each side of the bill,” says Mackie.

As for the clothing, John partnered with Gucci to update the Dodgers uniform. The Italian fashion house created a sequined robe in the team’s signature blue and silver. “The Gucci robe is a sweet nod to the original,” says Mackie, referring to the traditional baseball jersey and tapered pant combo John wore back in the ’70s. Almost four decades later, Mackie says he never imagined the original Dodgers costume he created would become as well-known as it is now. “I did not expect this – I was creating lots of different things for him at the time, and it was just another quick gag,” says Mackie of the look. “But I am delighted it has become so very famous, and an important moment in Elton’s career.”