đ Share this article How 'Showgirl' Emerged as the Dazzling Style of 2025 Following a long-running tenure on the iconic Vegas strip, the showgirls from the spectacle Jubilee! executed their last synchronised kick in 2016. The extravaganza, known for its ornate costumes created by American fashion designer Bob Mackie, came to an end due to declining audience numbers and critical commentators who described it as a spectacle âa relic of another eraâ. Today, almost a decade later, the showgirl, or at least the showgirl style, is experiencing a revival. A King of Sequins Dubbed the âmaster of glitzâ, Mackie has made theatrical stage sparkle his signature style, clothing everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Madonna. Earlier this month, a âsee-throughâ bodysuit he created for Cher in 1978 fetched $57,600, far exceeding its estimated price, while a metallic tasseled bodysuit with lamĂ© wings that Mackie designed for Tina Turner for a 1977 show sold for $19,200. âI think it looks more enticing for the new generation of stars who is desiring something other than what they grew up withâ, he stated in an interview with a newspaper. âToday's artists are striving for a glamorous, more spectacular, attention-grabbing, grand statement.â A Pop Culture Revival Itâs a look that glided all the way to the centre of the cultural zeitgeist in 2025 thanks to Taylor Swift. In the past few months, the music phenomenon wore one of Mackieâs original Jubilee! costumes on the cover of her latest record. The rhinestone encrusted bra and thong, plumed armbands and shimmering headpiece were ideal for a record named The Life of a Showgirl. The singer is part of a trend. This year, showgirl references have been incorporated by music artists including Dua Lipa as they danced across concert platforms in sparkles, cut-outs and plumes, spotlighted against theatrical sets. A top stylist Lorenzo Posocco mentioned in an interview with Vogue he wanted to bring âa showgirl spiritâ to her Radical Optimism tour â inspired by pictures from the mid-century, her performers waved giant ostrich feather fans. Drawing from History Modern stars and other chart toppers also reference classic entertainment forms, including vaudeville and ensemble references. The outcome are poles apart from the late-century pop style of crop tops and cargo pants, and hip-hop inspired dance moves that were popular earlier. But not everyone are enthusiastic with this showgirl revival. Nancy Hardy, a ex- Jubilee! showgirl who performed in the early 2000s says the trend is âpuzzlingâ. She thinks the word showgirl is being âemployed as an catch-all phrase encompassing everything from The Radio City Rockettes to Broadway performers and now even Taylor Swift.â The Coveted Retro Style For younger and millennial stars, Mackieâs retro designs have become incredibly sought-after. In 2024, a style icon gave a nod to one of Mackieâs earliest clients, Cher, when the star wore a translucent beaded dress made by the designer in 2001, which was inspired by one he made for Cher to wear in 1967. Months after, another pop star paid an significant price to buy the Mackie fringed mini dress she had worn previously to perform at the Grammys. In September, Sabrina Carpenter wore a collection of classic Mackie designs at the MTV Video Music Awards. They are also a hit among vintage enthusiasts. âThis style inspire nostalgia for a bygone era of glitz,â says an archivist, head of special collections at the an academic institution, who studies the legacy of showgirls. âCurrently it is seen as a sort of âacceptableâ appeal because it has been adapted. It has got all the sophistication, the sparkles and the glitter but without the exposure.â More Than Just Fashion: An Symbol of the City The expert says the showgirl image are key to the imagery of Vegas. She points to ex-mayor Oscar Goodman who, during civic functions, was flanked by two showgirls. Although Las Vegas does not host any traditional showgirl productions, Chung says they are still featured as an logo of the city, showing up at conventions and in advertisements. âThe showgirl is still a enduring symbol of Las Vegas glamour,â Chung says. An Allure of Illusion Nancy Hardy says the complete change of a stage character is part of the appeal. Itâs something Taylor Swift hints at in a new behind-the-scenes film that captures the off-camera action from her massive 2023 Eras tour, which included intense preparations, gym sessions and 149 shows across dozens of cities, each going on for 3.5 hours. She explains her own showgirl performances as âcomparable to running a marathon in high heels every nightâ. Her feathered headdress was 34lbs. âI had to carry it all the way up the staircase to the stage from the dressing rooms three floors below in the basement. I had to leave early for my entrance so I could recover before I went on stage. One is sweating the whole time but creating this fantasy that itâs easy and stunning and ethereal.â It could be this is where the appeal of the showgirl fantasy really is found. In the busyness of 2025 there is a longing for a break from reality. Is there anyone better to emulate than such icons, who have always personified fantasy, idealism and a realm where nobody makes a mistake.