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INTRODUCTION
Have you ever wondered how Barry Manilow managed to maintain such a pristine, polished look while delivering some of the most physically demanding performances of the 1970s? While the audience saw only the glamour and the glow, there was a hidden world of engineering tucked inside those famous costumes. The “Manilow Look” was a masterclass in functional fashion, hiding secrets that were known only to the artist and his inner circle of tailors.
THE DETAILED STORY
The true secret of Barry Manilow’s 1970s costumes wasn’t just in the sequins—it was in the structural engineering. Performing under intense stage lights is a grueling task; the heat can be suffocating, and the need for movement is paramount. To solve this, his designers implemented “kinetic tailoring.” This meant that while a jacket appeared to be a stiff, formal piece of evening wear, it actually featured hidden gussets and elasticized panels under the arms and across the back. This allowed Barry to raise his arms during those dramatic crescendos without the shoulders of the jacket riding up or the fabric pulling uncomfortably.
Furthermore, many of the most iconic pieces were designed with a “quick-change” philosophy. During a typical 1970s variety show or concert, Barry might have only sixty seconds to transition from a casual look to a full-sequined finale outfit. To facilitate this, many of his most complex-looking costumes actually utilized heavy-duty industrial zippers hidden behind faux-button fronts or even Velcro strips that were reinforced for security. This allowed for the theatrical “reveal” that fans came to expect, all while keeping the show running on a tight professional schedule.
Another hidden detail was the weight distribution. A jacket covered in thousands of hand-sewn crystals can weigh upwards of fifteen to twenty pounds. To prevent this weight from causing fatigue or affecting his posture, designers built internal harnesses and weighted hems. These invisible features ensured that the garment hung perfectly at all times, regardless of how much Barry moved. The goal was always the same: the clothes should never distract the artist from his connection with the music.
There was also the matter of the “camera-ready” finish. Because Barry was a staple of prime-time television, his costumes were often treated with specific matte sprays on certain areas to prevent “blooming” or “flaring” on the TV tubes of the time. What looked like a simple silver thread to the naked eye was often a carefully selected non-reflective material designed specifically for the lens. Every time you saw him sparkle, it was the result of a calculated balance between art and science, making him the ultimate golden boy of the seventies screen.