Ann-Margret’s Bob – Ann-Margret’s black satin and nude silk gown, designed by Bob Mackie and later worn by Sabrina Carpenter, is set to go up for auction next month. Julien’s Auctions in California, on June 23, expects the dress to fetch up to $3,000, alongside other items from t
The gown doesn’t just sit on a hanger anymore—it has lived on some of the biggest stages Hollywood can offer.
Ann-Margret’s black satin and nude silk dress, built with a black overlay, was designed by Bob Mackie and will go up for auction next month. The piece was originally worn by the award-winning actress and dancer when she presented the 49th annual Academy Awards in 1977.
It didn’t stay in the past. The same gown was worn again by pop star Sabrina Carpenter at the Met Gala dinner hosted by Dame Anna Wintour earlier this year. Carpenter also wore it for her rehearsal with Fleetwood Mac star Stevie Nicks ahead of the coveted fashion event.
The auction is timed for June 23 in California at Julien’s Auctions, where the dress is expected to fetch up to $3,000 (£2,232). That expected price anchors a larger collection of outfits and costumes originally belonging to Ann-Margret, now 85, whose career spans TV, film and music.
Born Ann-Margret Olsson, she rose to fame in the 1960s as a dancer before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest names. Her film credits include Viva Las Vegas (1964)—alongside Elvis Presley—Bye Bye Birdie (1963), Carnal Knowledge (1971) and Grumpy Old Men (1993).
Auction catalog details trace the same wardrobe through major moments. Another Academy Awards look—an additional silk jersey dress with clear sequins and a peach pleated overlay gown—was worn by Olsson when she presented the 52nd annual Academy Awards in 1980.
Several other items are expected to bring in their own share of attention. A black dress Olsson wore while picking up a Golden Globe for her starring role in the 1975 hit film Tommy is expected to sell for around $2. 000 (£1. 489). A silk jersey period gown she wore in her award-winning role as Blanche DuBois in the 1984 television movie A Streetcar Named Desire could sell for between $600 and $800 (£446 to £595).
There’s also a starkly different piece with a political connection: an American flag patterned leotard costume, worn for a musical performance during President Gerald Ford’s state dinner to honour the Shah of Iran. That item is estimated to fetch between $1,000 and $2,000 (£744 to £1,489).
Other offerings include a lavish brown cape worn onstage at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, plus a black velvet floor-length gown worn by Olsson as she collected a Golden Globe for Who Will Love My Children? during the award ceremony in 1984.
The collection extends beyond dresses. It includes stage-worn black bodysuits from the 1970s, and a matching Elizabeth Courtney brown silk gown and its ornate jacket worn during her appearance on The Tonight Show in 1975. That Tonight Show outfit is expected to sell for up to $800 (£595).
For collectors who want something more personal than fashion. Julien’s Auctions will also offer Olsson’s personal collection of scripts from her biggest films. Her script for the 1961 breakout role in Pocketful Of Miracles is expected to sell for up to $5. 000 (£3. 724). while her script for Bye Bye Birdie is estimated at $4. 000 to $6. 000 (£2. 979 to £4. 469).
Olsson’s love for speed makes an appearance too. She is offering her custom painted 1997 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Hugger motorcycle, which could fetch between $10,000 and $15,000 (£7,449 to £11,174).
Other highlights include the fur coat worn to the New York premiere of Tommy in 1975, stage and magazine cover-worn bodysuits, and jewellery such as her 18 karat, yellow-gold diamond spray brooch from the 1960s.
Bidding will be available either through Julien’s Auctions website, over the telephone, in person, or in advance by absentee bid.
Catherine Williamson, managing director of entertainment at Julien’s Auctions, said: “One would be hard to pressed to find a more glamourous and jaw-dropping collection this season than Julien’s and (Turner Classic Movies’) exclusive presentation honouring Hollywood legend Ann-Margret.”
Ann-Margret Sabrina Carpenter Bob Mackie Julien’s Auctions Met Gala dinner Academy Awards Fleetwood Mac Stevie Nicks Hollywood memorabilia June 23 auction