Taylor Swift always knows how to make a splash, and her newest album cover is no exception. For her highly anticipated twelfth studio album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ she stepped out in a costume that truly wowed her fans. It turns out this eye-catching outfit has quite an amazing history.
The legendary designer Bob Mackie recently shared the full story behind the dazzling ensemble. On Tuesday, August 19, he posted on Instagram, revealing that he first made the costume for the “Jewel Finale” of a classic Las Vegas show called ‘Jubilee.’
Mackie explained more about the show in his post. “Don Arden produced ‘Jubilee,’ which featured over 1,000 costumes,” he wrote. “These outfits were inspired by the grand theatrical shows of Florenz Ziegfeld, with showgirls wearing incredibly detailed haute couture. It was the longest-running showgirl production ever, running from 1981 to 2016.”
The costume worn by Swift is truly magnificent. It features a crown-like headpiece that adds a royal touch. Luxurious feathers and cascading beaded chains complete the look. All these elements create a very grand and extravagant vibe.
A “Jubilee!” showgirl. David Becker/WireImage
Mackie explained that he paid attention to every tiny detail when making this sparkly, crystal-covered look. It was truly designed to impress. He shared that “The bra, underwear, and armbands are made of French wire. They’re lined with pink fabric to create a nude illusion.” He added, “The bra and underwear have stones set into them. These stones also hang from the bottom of the bust and the waist of the underwear.”
Creating these elaborate pieces takes a lot of material. Jose Rodrigo, a stylist from Sin City, told Page Six that real showgirl outfits can weigh anywhere from 10 to 40 pounds. This is because of all the heavy decorations and embellishments.
Beyond the stunning cover, fans are also excited about the new music. As Us Weekly previously reported, Swift completely thrilled her fans when she shared the album’s release date. She announced on her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast that her new album would drop on October 3.
During her appearance on the “New Heights” podcast, Swift also gave fans a sneak peek at the tracklist. She revealed a collaboration with fellow pop star Sabrina Carpenter. Other songs she mentioned include “Elizabeth Taylor,” “Ruin the Friendship,” “Opalite,” and “The Fate of Ophelia,” just to name a few.
Later, Swift unveiled an alternative cover for ‘The Life of a Showgirl: The Shiny Bug Vinyl Collection.’ This special edition offers fans a choice between a limited edition winter green and onyx marbled vinyl, or a bright purple marbled vinyl. For this alternate artwork, Swift posed in a different look. She wore a beaded suit, fishnet stockings, and elegant opera gloves.