Legendary American fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie dies
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Legendary American fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie has died aged 87.
The fashion icon, dubbed the “Sultan of Sequins”, dressed some of the world’s biggest stars including Cher, Dolly Parton, Pink, Elton John, Tina Turner, and Marilyn Monroe.
Legendary American fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie has died aged 87. Invision
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr Bob Mackie passed away today,” a statement shared on his official social media accounts read.
“He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a fashion and costume designer, which is all he ever wanted to do. His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”
The famed costume designer died of pneumonia on September 14 in Palm Springs, California, a representative confirmed to People.
Mackie dressed some of the world’s biggest stars including Pink, Cher, and Tina Turner. AP
Tributes have been pouring in for the acclaimed designer who was best known for his work with singer Cher.
Cher took to X on with a message about her longtime friend, writing: “My dear Bob has gone up to heaven. Knowing him, he’s bringing Sequins, Beads, & his sketch pad. Good nite sweet Prince.”
Cher, wearing a Bob Mackie black-sequined gown, poses with her Oscar. AP
Sex and the City Star Kim Cattral said: “Such a loss. You never felt sexier when wearing a @bobmackie gown. Rip xo.”
Supermodel Linda Evangalista said: “RIP dearest Bob.”
Mackie began his career sketching designs for movie legends, most famously helping to sketch Marilyn Monroe’s famous “Happy Birthday, Mr President” dress in 1962.
Mackie poses with two of his iconic designs both worn by Cher ahead of an auction in London in 2018. AP
The famous ‘nude dress’ worn to the Met Gala in 1974. Supplied
It was his work on television in the late 1960s and 1970s, specifically on The Carol Burnett Show and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, that turned him into a household name.
At a 2024 event celebrating the documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion, Cher recalled meeting the designer during a costume fitting.
“I see this guy over my shoulder walking in the door and he’s beautiful. I turned around and there’s this tall, kind of Adonis-looking guy with curly blonde hair and a suntan,” she recalled.
“And I went, ‘Oh my God, you’re so much younger than I thought you’d be.’ He said, ‘You’re so much thinner than I thought you’d be.’ And it was kind of like that from then on.”
He was best known for his decades-long collaboration with singer Cher. Invision
He quickly became known for his flamboyant creations strewn with sequins which he lavished on Cher over the decades, with the pair credited with rewriting the rule of celebrity style.
There was the scandalously sheer “nude dress” at the 1974 Met Gala and the mohawk-feathered black ensemble at the 1986 Academy Awards.
Cher wears a creation by designer Bob Mackie as she poses with actor Don Ameche at the Oscars in 1986. AP
Beyond the stage, Mackie also influenced the retail landscape, selling high-fashion collections and fragrance lines.
Throughout his career he earned nine Emmy Awards, three Academy Award nominations, and the prestigious Geoffrey Beene CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
There are now multiple calls on social media for the 2027 Met Gala to pay tribute to his extraordinary work.
