Keke Palmer Hosted the CFDA Awards in Raquel Welch’s 1975 Bob Mackie. Why Vintage Won the Night

3 min read

Part of today’s What You Missed: Tuesday, Nov 3.

The short version

Keke Palmer hosted Monday’s CFDA Fashion Awards in New York in a one-of-a-kind gold Bob Mackie gown first made for Raquel Welch in 1975. The archival piece came from vintage dealer Timeless Vixen, and Palmer paired it with gold Aquazzura sandals, Vogue and WWD’s Footwear News report.

What happened

• The gown. The shimmering gold Bob Mackie was custom-made for Welch, who wore it to perform “I’m a Woman” with Cher on The Cher Show in 1975, Vogue reports.
• The source. Palmer’s stylist, Molly Dickson, sourced it from vintage dealer Timeless Vixen, according to Footwear News. The dealer’s owner, Lauren Lepire, told Vogue: “When Keke’s styling team reached out looking for something special by Bob Mackie, this piece immediately came to mind.”
• The tribute. Lepire also told Vogue that with Mackie’s recent passing, “it’s especially meaningful to see Keke bring such an iconic design back into the spotlight.” Vogue notes the designer died in September.
• The shoes. Palmer wore Aquazzura’s gold Divine 105 sandals, which Footwear News reports have crisscrossing toe bands, a slim buckled ankle strap and a 105 mm heel.
• The headline. People ran the look as an exclusive under the phrase “little vintage moment.”
• The setting. The CFDA Fashion Awards were held at the American Museum of Natural History, where Palmer hosted a night that honored Rachel Scott, Ralph Lauren, Anthony Vaccarello and others, according to Footwear News.

Why people care

Bob Mackie dressed Cher, Carol Burnett and decades of television stars, and his death in September made this look a tribute as much as a fashion choice. A host wearing a piece with a story is exactly the kind of moment that travels online, because people can share the 1975 clip next to the 2026 photo.

It also shows how red carpet styling has changed. Vogue notes Timeless Vixen is a favorite of celebrities for rare pulls. Archival pieces are now as much of a status signal as a new runway look.

Footwear News points out that this was not Palmer’s first gold Aquazzura moment this year: she wore the brand’s So Nude Sandal 105 in June at the Tribeca Festival, also styled by Dickson. Repeat partnerships like that are how a stylist builds a recognizable signature for a client.

What it means for you

• Shopping vintage in LA. LA has some of the best vintage and costume archives in the country. If you are dressing for a holiday event, ask dealers about designer history and condition, and budget for tailoring.
• For stylists. Bring the story with the piece. A look with provenance gives press and social media a second headline.
• For photographers. Archival looks photograph best when the shot nods to the original era. Think about lighting and setting that echo the source.

Our take

Opinion. This was the smartest look of the night because it did three jobs at once: it honored a designer the industry just lost, it gave the host a story to tell on stage and it made vintage feel like the most current choice in the room. Expect more archival pulls this awards season, and expect the dealers who can find them to become the new power players.

RelatedRachel Scott Wins Again at the CFDA Awards. What Her Second Womenswear Title Says About American Fashion

Sources

• Vogue: Keke Palmer Unearths a Rare Bob Mackie at the 2026 CFDA Awards (Nov 2, 2026)
• WWD / Footwear News: Keke Palmer Matches Gold Aquazzura Sandals With Raquel Welch’s One-of-a-Kind Bob Mackie Gown (Nov 2, 2026)
• People: Keke Palmer Rocks Rare Bob Mackie Gown at 2026 CFDA Awards
• Back to today’s roundup: What You Missed: Tuesday, Nov 3

Photo: Headline screenshot from Vogue, framed by Nightlife Report

Tips: Found a great vintage piece in LA? Tell us: editor@nightlifereport.app

nightlifereport.app | Tips: editor@nightlifereport.app | 1049 Havenhurst Dr, Unit 67, West Hollywood, CA 90046

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