Cher Celebrates Prestigious Music Award in Iconic 1989 Getup

When Gwen Stefani took the stage to present Cher with the prestigious Billboard Music Awards Icon Award for 2017, she was lauded the honoree for three very important aspects of her career.

“From the first note, you know it’s her,” Stefani noted. Also, “she has proven there is nothing she cannot do.” And, probably most significant for Stefani, who is a fashion icon herself, she noted Cher’s “truly iconic looks at every point in her career.”

Stefani summed it all up nicely, especially since Cher – who turned 71 on May 20 – chose to stride onto the BBMAs stage wearing an outfit she first rocked 28 years ago. The iconic semi-transparent black bodystocking and boots from “If I Could Turn Back Time,” plus the requisite big ‘80s hairstyle, worked as perfectly on her 71-year-old figure as it did nearly three decades ago.

Prior to revealing that landmark look, Cher whetted the crowd’s appetite with another outfit that would do her younger self proud. The icon entered the stage to perform 1998’s “Believe” in an all-silver, mostly transparent getup that featured a bra with heart pasties and a skirt of glittering fringe.

In her acceptance speech, Cher — who is notoriously political — refrained from any discussion of current events, choosing instead to reflect on her history. “’I’ve wanted to do what I do since I was 4 years old. And I’ve been doing it for 53 years,” she noted, to a cheering audience that included son Chaz Bono.