Cher's 'Turn Back Time' Outfit Sparks Controversy and Designer's Regret

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Cher's 1989 music video for "If I Could Turn Back Time" is infamous for its provocative outfit, which left the designer, Bob Mackie, feeling embarrassed. The outfit, often referred to as the "seat belt" outfit, was almost entirely sheer and featured only strategically placed black vinyl strips resembling seat belts. This design choice was considered highly risqué and led to the video being banned from airing before 9 pm on MTV due to its explicit content.

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Mackie expressed regret over creating the outfit, stating that it was not intended for family viewing. He even requested that people not associate him with the design, highlighting his discomfort with its notoriety. The outfit's boldness and its impact on the audience were significant enough to overshadow the performance itself, which was filmed aboard the battleship USS Missouri, adding a formal contrast to the racy attire.

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The controversy surrounding the outfit and the video's content underscores the challenges of balancing artistic expression with public perception and broadcasting standards.

Cher's 'Turn Back Time' Outfit Sparks Controversy and Designer's Regret

Preview

The controversy surrounding the outfit and the video's content underscores the challenges of balancing artistic expression with public perception and broadcasting standards.