The Divas and the Designers Who Dress Them
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Camille FreestoneTue, March 24, 2026 at 10:58 PM UTC
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What comes to mind when you think of Cher? For some, it’s the chorus of “Believe”; for many others, it’s sequins. The legendary pop icon conjures images of deliciously outrageous fashion—shiny fringe, embellished sets, feathered headdresses. You might remember her transparent catsuit from the 1974 Met Gala or the leotard with long, red, sparkling fringe and a coordinating hood from her Farewell Tour in the early 2000s. And it’s no coincidence you’ll often spot Bob Mackie, who also worked with stars like Tina Turner and Diana Ross, at her side in pictures that captured these major fashion moments over the last five decades. The designer was instrumental in helping to craft her image, a rather sparkly one, crucial to her status as a diva.
A pop diva benefits greatly from the vision of a strong designer at her side, someone to mold and shape her image, her aura, even. In many cases, it’s a fabulously symbiotic relationship, with the musician often serving as muse, as well. It’s such an important role that many designers became pop icons themselves—even divas, you could argue—in the process. Just think of the case of Jean Paul Gaultier and Madonna. Her cone bra was so much more than just a costume. The polarizing garment designed by Gaultier helped to define her persona, setting a provocative tone that did not shy away from societal boundaries—in fact, it stormed right through them. And it boosted his profile significantly as a designer. The same can be said of so many fashion and costume designers who helped pop icons cultivate their look.
Ahead, a list of iconic creative partnerships between divas and their designers. As to who’s the bigger diva… we’ll let you decide.
Cher and Bob MackieCher and Bob Mackie, 1974
Photo credit: Ron Galella - Getty ImagesCher in Bob Mackie at the Academy Awards, 1988
Photo credit: John T. Barr - Getty Images
Probably the most well-known of the bunch, Cher and Bob Mackie worked together on costumes and ensembles for numerous appearances over many decades. The pair met in 1967 and began their work in crafting an image for the pop icon, one complete with glittering fringe, heavy sequins, daring cutouts, and cleverly instituted transparent fabrics.
Grace Jones and Azzedine Alaïa Azzedine Alaïa and Grace Jones, 1987
Photo credit: Peter Turnley - Getty ImagesGrace Jones and Azzedine Alaïa, 1986
Photo credit: Foc Kan - Getty Images
Grace Jones and designer Azzedine Alaïa developed a friendship in the early 1980s, one that would last for decades and result in many fashion collaborations. Case in point: the hooded purple ribbon dress she wore in 1987.
Madonna and Jean Paul Gaultier Madonna in Jean Paul Gaultier, 1990
Photo credit: Getty ImagesJean Paul Gaultier and Madonna at the Met Gala, 2018
Photo credit: HECTOR RETAMAL
Madonna and Jean Paul Gaultier have nurtured one of the most exciting cross-industry partnerships. Their symbiosis has led to a number of iconic costumes, none more so than the famous cone bras of her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour. The provocative garment became synonymous with the star’s image.
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Lana Del Rey and Alessandro MicheleAlessandro Michele and Lana del Rey at the Met Gala, 2025
Photo credit: Getty ImagesLana del Rey in Gucci at the Grammy Awards, 2018
Photo credit: Dimitrios Kambouris - Getty Images
The friendship and collaboration between pop star Lana Del Rey and designer Alessandro Michele blossomed while he was creative director of Gucci and has continued into his tenure at Valentino. Del Rey attends many of Michele’s fashion shows and often accompanies him to the Met Gala in ensembles that prove her moody Americana style jives with his eclectic whimsy.
Foxy Brown and John GallianoFoxy Brown in Christian Dior by John Galliano at the Grammy Awards, 2003
Photo credit: KMazur - Getty ImagesFoxy Brown in Christian Dior by John Galliano, 1999
Photo credit: Evan Agostini - Getty Images
Around the millennium, Foxy Brown and John Galliano were quite outspoken about their reverence for one another. He noted her as a source of inspiration for his Spring 2000 couture collection for Christian Dior and had her perform at the opening of New York’s Dior boutique.
Jennifer Lopez and Donatella VersaceDonatella Versace and Jennifer Lopez, 1999
Photo credit: Rose Hartman - Getty ImagesJennifer Lopez in Versace at the Grammy Awards, 2000
Photo credit: Scott Gries - Getty Images
If you hear these two names in tandem with one another, your mind likely goes to the iconic, plunging blue and green Versace dress J.Lo wore to the Grammys in 2000. But their friendship and collaboration extends beyond that one instance into many red carpet and performance ensembles, including Lopez’s rewearing of that same dress at the brand’s Spring 2020 show.
Rosé and Anthony VaccarelloRosé and Anthony Vaccarello at the Met Gala, 2021
Photo credit: Taylor Hill - Getty ImagesRosé and Anthony Vaccarello, 2024
Photo credit: Julien Hekimian - Getty Images
Blackpink’s Rosé is both a muse and brand ambassador for Saint Laurent’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello. The K-pop star often sits front row at the brand’s fashion shows and appears in their campaigns, but their relationship goes beyond the average ambassadorship. The two are very close and often trade opinions.
Liza Minnelli and HalstonHalston and Liza Minnelli at Studio 54, 1977
Photo credit: New York Daily News Archive - Getty ImagesHalston and Liza Minnelli, 1978
Photo credit: Images Press - Getty Images
Legendary fashion designer Halston and actress, singer, and dancer Liza Minnelli shared a deep friendship in the 1970s and 1980s. They both supported each other creatively and collaborated across their respective fields. Halston designed many ensembles for Minnelli, helping her to define her high-octane, theatrical look.
Marc Jacobs and Lil’ KimMarc Jacobs and Lil’ Kim at the Met Gala, 2005
Photo credit: Gregory Pace - Getty ImagesLil’ Kim and Marc Jacobs, 2004
Photo credit: Robin Platzer - Getty Images
The relationship between fashion designer Marc Jacobs dates back to 2004 when they met at Jacobs’s fashion show because he famously listened to her albums while working. Since then, he’s dressed her for many red carpets and editorials including the 2005 Met Gala—even famously outfitting her for the court appearances of her trial in 2005.
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