Bob Mackie, the celebrated fashion designer whose shimmering creations defined decades of pop culture, has died at 87.
The “Sultan of Sequins” passed away Friday, his team announced in a statement posted to his social media accounts. No cause of death has been disclosed.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” the statement 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.”
Mackie’s most enduring professional relationship was with Cher, whom he first encountered when the singer guest-starred on “The Carol Burnett Show.” Their creative partnership would stretch across seven decades and produce some of the most memorable looks in entertainment history.
The collaboration did not begin smoothly. Mackie once said Style that his initial impression was hardly promising. “This girl is not my style,” he recalled thinking. “All the pictures of her were like frowning and pouting with Sonny [Bono].”
Despite those early reservations, the pair forged ahead. Their work together included the 1974 Met Gala appearance where Cher effectively invented the naked dress, her flamboyant 1986 Oscars two-piece crowned with a feather headpiece, and the provocative bodysuit from her 1989 “If I Could Turn Back Time” video. Mackie later asked not to be associated with that particular creation.
Before his name became synonymous with Cher, Mackie honed his craft under Jean Louis. While working for the established designer, he sketched the now-legendary gown Marilyn Monroe wore to President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 birthday party at Madison Square Garden.
From 1967 through 1978, Mackie designed every costume for “The Carol Burnett Show” — evening gowns, character outfits and guest clothing alike. His output totaled tens of thousands of pieces. Among them was the “curtain dress” from the “Went With the Wind!” sketch, a parody of “Gone With the Wind” that became so iconic the garment now resides in the Smithsonian museum.
Mackie’s client roster extended far beyond his two most famous collaborators. He dressed Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Liza Minnelli, Elton John, The Supremes and The Temptations. His designs helped shape the visual identity of multiple generations of performers.
Contemporary pop stars have continued to draw on Mackie’s archive. Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande have all worn vintage Mackie pieces on multiple occasions. Taylor Swift borrowed one of his iconic outfits from “Jubilee!,” the longest-running show in Las Vegas history, for her “The Life of a Showgirl” album.
The designer’s influence bridged the gap between costume design and high fashion, between television variety shows and concert arenas, between the 1960s and the streaming era. His death marks the end of an era in entertainment history, though the visual vocabulary he created continues to resonate.
Mackie was 87.