Long Live the Queen
Honoring the Fashion Legacy of Tina Turner: A Tribute in Iconic Images
Tina Turner Photographed by © Peter Lindbergh
In the realm of music and entertainment, there are relatively few individuals who’ve left an indelible mark on the world, not only through their incredible talent and high octane performances, but also through their distinctive style and unique sense of fashion.
Tina on her Style:
I take all the credit. When I was a young girl in Nutbush, Tennessee, I read every fashion magazine I could get my hands on. Vogue and magazines like it were my education, my window into a bigger, brighter world.
Then, when I traveled to New York, London, and other cities, I studied how people dressed and developed my own sense of style.
I have favorite designers… but I always knew what worked best for my body, with my short torso and long legs. I might have made a few mistakes in the '80s, but everybody else did too!
And yet it was the iconic flair of legendary singer and performer Tina Turner, that went on to redefine what it meant to be glamorous, poised, and graceful under massive pressure, while still maintaining that iconic Rock & Roll edge. Beyond her electrifying stage presence and powerful vocals, Tina Turner's fashion choices were equally captivating and influential, setting trends that would last generations while breaking all the rules that would attempt to define her.
This Memorial Day weekend, we pay tribute to the fashion legacy of Tina Turner, who passed away on May 24th, 2023 at the age of 83 years young, paying our respect to an absolute legend that walked the walk, talked the talk, and made a lasting impact on the world of fashion, art, and music with every step she took towards greatness.
"I had a ritual before every show. I applied my own makeup, finishing with bright red lipstick. Then I put on my wig (which I always styled myself), dressed in my beautiful costume, and became Tina. It was a total transformation."
— Tina Turner
Tina Turner's influence extended far beyond her remarkable music career. Long before collaborations became the norm, Tina fostered a spirit of creative partnership in various artistic realms. Not only did she collaborate with renowned musicians like David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Rod Stewart, but she also forged enduring relationships in the realms of fashion, design, art, and photography.
Close friends and visionary designers such as Azzedine Alaïa, Bob Mackie, Giorgio Armani, Donatella and Gianni Versace all joined forces with Tina to craft her most iconic looks. From the striking chainmail dress to the timeless little black leather dress, from the unforgettable red dress to the iconic denim jacket adorned with medals of honor, each ensemble became a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship borne out of their collaborations. Tina Turner's ability to unite diverse talents resulted in unforgettable moments of creative expression that left an indelible mark on the worlds of music and fashion alike.
Bob Mackie on working with Tina
"I began collaborating with Tina shortly after her divorce from Ike [in 1978]. She was getting back into show business – her shows in Las Vegas would see her change a dozen times, and she’d perform on television with Cher. In fact, I made them identical dresses with sequin flames. The two of them were dressed exactly alike – it was truly amazing!
Tina’s body and legs are incredible so it would be boring to put her in an evening gown. She shopped around some of the cheaper boutiques in Paris, brought me dresses and said: ‘Make me look like a cavewoman!’
Tina Turner's enduring friendship with renowned fashion designer Bob Mackie went beyond their initial collaboration in the late 1970s. Mackie's remarkable designs played a pivotal role in Tina's electrifying nightclub performances in Las Vegas, where she mesmerized audiences with her captivating stage presence. Their collaboration reached its pinnacle in Tina's solo show, following her departure from her first husband Ike Turner.
Among the unforgettable costumes was a dress adorned with wings, symbolizing Tina's sense of empowerment and newfound freedom. Together, Tina and Bob Mackie crafted a visually stunning spectacle, showcasing dazzling costumes that perfectly embodied Tina's energy and charisma on stage.
“One of my dresses had wings, so I looked like I was about to take flight and soar — which was exactly how I felt about being on my own for the first time.” — Tina Turner,
Tina Turner photographed by Harry Langdon in original Bob Mackie design.
Their partnership reached new heights when Tina performed alongside Cher, and Mackie crafted identical dresses adorned with sequin flames for both iconic performers, creating an unforgettable moment of sartorial synchronicity. Additionally, Mackie's talent extended to the silver screen, as he reimagined Tina's striking costume for her role in the cult classic film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome." Their collaborative efforts showcased the power of fashion to elevate and enhance Tina's performances, leaving an indelible mark on both the entertainment and fashion industries.
Renowned fashion designer Bob Mackie's extraordinary design sketch art set the stage for the remarkable transformation of Tina Turner into the iconic character Aunty Entity in the Thunderdome film. Collaborating closely with Turner, Mackie's vision brought to life a costume that would leave a lasting impact. Norma Moriceau's striking costume design, a 70-pound chainmail dress made from an assortment of materials to the chunky spring coil earrings. Beyond the visual aesthetics, every detail contributed to the character's Amazonian goddess-like appearance with Tina's portrayal of Aunty Entity exemplifying her own personal strength and resilience. In the process, they created a truly unforgettable cinematic experience that continues to inspire new generations through it’s Afrofutuist revisions of a medieval Renaissance.
Bob Mackie Original Sketch Art
Tina Turner in Costumes Designed by Norma Moriceau
As Tina Turner fearlessly transgressed boundaries and broke all the rules, her iconic style continued to evolve and captivate audiences around the world. In her quest for fashion-forward elegance, she found a perfect collaborator in the renowned Italian fashion house Versace. Together with visionary designer Gianni Versace and his sister Donatella, they embarked on a creative journey that resulted in unforgettable designs that embraced Tina's boldness and celebrated her powerful presence.
In May 1997, Tina performed in Milan wearing a daringly short lingerie-style minidress made from crystal mesh. As she embraced the dress, her transformation was palpable, unleashing her inner lioness, her self styled signature hair the pure embodiment of La Medusa, the quintessential motif of the Versace’s insignia codes. Through their collaboration, Tina Turner and Versace created fashion moments that celebrated liberation, self-expression, and the indomitable spirit of an icon.
“Tina really understands and is able to harness the power of clothes.
Backstage, before the performance, she danced with Gianni. It was magical, I will never forget that moment. On stage, her energy was incredible!”
— Donatella Versace
And yet, it may have been Tina's friendship with the esteemed couturier Azzedine Alaïa that would come to redefine her bold, daring, and iconic style, transforming her once again into a haute couture Muse. As Turner's fashion journey unfolded, her style underwent a remarkable evolution, embracing innovation and pushing boundaries, wearing his exclusive designs on stage for her showstopping performances.
Tina on Alaïa
His clothes were "unlike anyone else's clothes; very special. It's not easy to wear Azzedine's clothes … but you have to try them on sometimes just to get the feel of it, just sort of get an attitude in his clothes. You become very French actually."
Alaïa, known as 'The King of Cling' for his seductive and figure-hugging designs, brought his visionary artistry to create garments that beautifully embraced Turner's magnetic energy. Their friendship went beyond fashion, as Turner fondly described Alaïa as a dear man and a dear friend who embodied style effortlessly. Together, they crafted ensembles that celebrated Turner's individuality, merging her fearless spirit with Alaïa's revolutionary designs. Their collaboration solidified Turner's status as a fashion icon, bridging the worlds of music and haute couture with sophistication, originality, and a touch of French allure.
