Bob Mackie, the iconic fashion designer whose visually bold Hollywood creations defined 1970s glamour, dressing Carol Burnett in eccentric costumes and Cher in her most daring outfits, has died at the age of 87 on Monday.
“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,” read a post shared across his official social media channels.
“His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”
Dubbed the “Designer to the Stars,” Mackie earned nine Emmy Awards and a Tony Award, alongside three Oscar nominations, including one for Barbra Streisand’s sheer batwing gown in “Funny Lady.”
His legacy was formally recognized in 2002 when he was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Hall of Fame.
He created memorable dresses for high-profile figures such as Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Sharon Stone, Diana Ross, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, alongside stage costumes for Pink.
Notably, when Marilyn Monroe sang her iconic, sultry rendition of “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy during a Democratic National Committee fundraiser, she wore a sheer, embellished dress originally conceived in a Mackie sketch.
Bob Mackie’s distinct aesthetic continues to inspire contemporary style icons
His artistic touch remains visible in modern fashion, inspiring figures like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid.
Today, archival pieces from his collection are frequently worn by stars including Anya Taylor-Joy, Miley Cyrus, and Zendaya, who chose a vintage Mackie gown to pay tribute to Cher at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony.
Taylor Swift embraced his signature showgirl aesthetic for her 2025 album “The Life of a Showgirl” by wearing original Mackie creations.
Sequins and elaborate trimmings were central to Mackie’s signature look — earning him colorful monikers such as the Sultan of Sequins, the Rajah of Rhinestones, and the Guru of Glitter.
Yet his underlying core principle was simple: “You don’t try to change anybody, you just try to make them look better than ever,” he told The Associated Press in 2018.
Beyond screen and concert stages, Mackie left a significant mark on Broadway, designing costumes for “On the Town” in 1971 and “Moon Over Buffalo” in 1995.
He also dressed Burnett for “Putting It Together,” Debbie Reynolds for “Debbie” in 1976, Liza Minnelli for “Minnelli on Minnelli” in 1999, and earned his Tony Award for his work on “The Cher Show.”
