The Denver Art Museum (DAM) held its annual Luncheon by Design fundraiser, celebrating the 60-year career of costume designer Bob Mackie as a prelude to the upcoming DIVA exhibition opening in fall 2026. The event featured a conversation between Joe McFate, Mackie's long-time design director, and Jill D'Alessandro, DAM's director and curator of the Avenir Institute of Textile Arts, sharing stories behind Mackie's iconic costumes worn by Cher, Tina Turner, and P!NK. Funds raised support the DIVA exhibition, which will run from October 4, 2026, to January 31, 2027, at the museum.
The event matters because it highlights the Denver Art Museum's role as the only U.S. stop for the V&A's acclaimed DIVA exhibition, bringing international attention to the museum's fashion programming. It also underscores the enduring cultural impact of Bob Mackie's work on contemporary pop culture, connecting legendary performers like Cher and Tina Turner to modern stars like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, while raising critical funds for a major exhibition that explores the power and creativity of iconic divas across generations.