American fashion and costume designer, Bob Mackie, renowned for creating flamboyant outfits for some of the world’s biggest entertainers, has died at the age of 87.
Mackie, popularly known as the “Sultan of Sequins”, was celebrated for his work with stars including Cher, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton and Elton John. During his distinguished career, he won a Tony Award and nine Emmy Awards, while also receiving three Oscar nominations.
A statement posted on his Instagram account on Monday confirmed his death, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr Bob Mackie passed away today.” It added, “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 had a particularly significant influence on Cher’s image and career.
Among his most famous creations was the striking Mohawk-inspired outfit she wore at the 1986 Oscars.
The elaborate ensemble, featuring a feathered headdress and exposed midriff, later became known as Cher’s “revenge” outfit after she was overlooked for an Oscar nomination.
Cher later explained her choice of outfit in the 2024 documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion, saying, “I didn’t get nominated for a movie that everyone thought I would actually win for [Mask] – so was dressing that night for a kind of revenge.”
Speaking to the BBC in 2010, Mackie recalled that Cher “looked like no-one else in the entertainment business at the time”.
He added, “Everybody just went crazy over this woman as she could wear anything.”
The designer also created several memorable costumes for Elton John, including the dazzling Dodgers baseball outfit worn during John’s performances at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1975. Paying tribute to Mackie, John wrote, “Every time I put something on that Bob made, I felt very, very special.”
He added, “His costumes were works of art, and he will go down as one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood.”
Singer Pink, who wore many of Mackie’s creations during her career, also honoured the designer, writing, “I was so lucky to be dressed by him for so long. He was loving, wickedly funny and an absolute genius.”
She added, “There are going to be some fabulously dressed angels.”
Mackie continued working in fashion until recently, with Sabrina Carpenter wearing one of his designs at the MTV Video Music Awards last year.
He also designed the silver glittering outfit Miley Cyrus wore during her performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
Born Robert Gordon Mackie in Monterey Park, California, in 1939, Mackie began his career as a sketch artist for French-American costume designer Jean Louis.
One of his early assignments involved sketching the dress Marilyn Monroe wore while singing “Happy Birthday Mr President” to US President John F Kennedy in 1962.
Mackie married Hollywood singer and actress Lulu Porter in 1960, but the marriage ended in divorce three years later.
They had a son, Robin, who died in his early thirties from an AIDS-related illness.
Mackie later had a long-term relationship with Iranian fashion designer Ray Aghayan, which lasted from 1963 until Aghayan’s death in 2011.
Reflecting on his career in a 2018 interview with The Guardian, Mackie said, “I think I’m the oldest living designer in Hollywood.” When asked whether he would retire, he replied, “I hope not.”
