Taylor Swift has been treating fans to a steady stream of glamorous teasers from her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Across these photos, she’s swapped her familiar stage staples for dazzling costumes that channel the glitz of old-school Vegas.
One standout outfit is a rhinestone-studded design by Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee. This particular piece originally belonged to the legendary Las Vegas revue Jubilee!. Mackie himself highlighted the look in an August 19 Instagram post. His post confirmed its heritage and linked Swift directly to the iconic world of Cher. The ongoing rollout has been as much a style statement as it is an album preview.
Taylor Swift’s showgirl costumes take a leaf out of Cher’s book, says source
Teasers of the new vinyl art and accompanying aesthetics of Taylor Swift’s upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl”, fully embrace the Showgirl Era. Insiders even confirmed Swift is taking inspiration directly from Cher. However, the nod wasn’t accidental.
According to Rob Shuter’s exclusive on his Substack, Swift’s styling choice is widely seen as a respectful homage to Cher rather than simple borrowing. “Taylor knows exactly what she’s doing,” a fashion insider told Shuter. “This isn’t just a look—it’s a love letter. Cher and Bob Mackie invented pop spectacle, and Taylor learned from the best.”
A celebrity stylist explained that for Swift, the tribute is a sign of respect, saying, “She’s acknowledging the original blueprint.” Mackie’s Jubilee! wardrobe included over 1,000 elaborate designs, many considered museum-worthy. “Showgirls wore gowns that were living art,” one Vegas veteran said. “Borrowing Cher’s is like borrowing the crown jewels.”
Cher’s influence has defined music, fashion, and pop culture for six decades. As one source noted, “There’s only one Cher. The fact that Taylor’s drawing from her proves just how untouchable she is.”
The singer announced the new vinyl on her Instagram handle, captioning the post with the name of her latest collection, “The Life of a Showgirl: Baby, That’s Show Business.” The post also mentions the album producers and photographers.
