Cher Reveals 'Illegal' Material and Marlene Dietrich's Role in Iconic 1974 Met Gala Dress

Cher has revealed the untold story behind her iconic, sheer, feathered gown worn to the 1974 Met Gala, an ensemble crafted from an "illegal in America" material that was famously smuggled into the country by screen legend Marlene Dietrich. The "Believe" singer discussed the origins of the revealing dress, often referred to as "The Dress," in a recent interview with Vogue, reflecting on her long-standing creative partnership with designer Bob Mackie.

Mackie, who passed away in September at age 87, was instrumental in shaping Cher's distinctive style throughout her career. "Without Bob, I would certainly not be a fashion icon, because Bob really was so important in making me have my own look," Cher told Vogue. "He was really the person that pushed me into those real glamour moments."

The 1974 Met Gala gown, a masterpiece of sheer mesh adorned with embroidery and feathers, has become one of Cher's most memorable fashion moments. She recalled that the dress was initially part of a photoshoot for Vogue featuring archival pieces. "When we were going to the Met, I had no idea what to wear, and we were like, ‘Bob, what about this dress [from the shoot]?’” she explained.

It was during a fitting for this dress that Cher encountered Marlene Dietrich. "I remember coming in for a fitting, and I could see this little kitchen. This woman was taking things out of the refrigerator and putting them into the trash can. I had no idea what she was doing," Cher recounted. "So I was like, ‘Bob, who is that?’ And he was like, ‘That’s Marlene Dietrich!’ She brought the material that we were making the dress out of."

Mackie's designs were known for their exquisite craftsmanship, as Cher noted. "With Bob’s clothes, you could wear them inside out: They were so beautifully made. Other people might have copied his dresses, but they didn’t create them as he did," she said. The enduring collaboration between Cher and Mackie produced numerous unforgettable looks, with the 1974 Met Gala dress remaining a personal favorite and a testament to their shared creative vision and daring fashion choices.