Why Bob Mackie's Legacy Continues to Dazzle Even After His Passing
Bob Mackie, the legendary fashion designer famous for his sparkling creations, died Monday at the age of 87.“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” read a statement shared on his social media accounts. “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.”A cause of death has not yet been revealed.Bob Mackie, legendary costume and fashion designer, has died at the age of 87. Getty Images for The Met Museum/VogueHe got his start working with French-American designer Jean Louis, and is credited as drawing the first sketch of the bejeweled gown Marilyn Monroe wore to John F. Kennedy’s 1962 birthday party. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesHe is credited with tens of thousands of costumes for “The Carol Burnett” show, some of which are showcased in the Smithsonian Museum. Getty ImagesEarlier this month, Mackie mourned the loss of Dolly Parton, pictured here in a winged butterfly gown for her 1979 TV special “Dolly & Carol in Nashville” opposite Carol Burnett. Nancy Barr Brandon/MediaPunch/ShutterstockKnown as the “Sultan of Sequins,” Mackie was known for his glittering, stage-ready designs rendered in flamboyant feathers and rhinestones. He cut his teeth working for Jean Louis — and famously sketched the gown Marilyn Monroe wore to President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 birthday party.He created all of the costumes — evening gowns, character outfits and guest clothing — for “The Carol Burnett Show.” He was the genius behind tens of thousands of outfits from 1967 through 1978, including the iconic “curtain dress” from the “Went With the Wind!” sketch, which is now housed in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.He counted Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Liza Minnelli, the Supremes, the Temptations, Elton John, Tina Turner, Madonna and more as clients.He had a lasting partnership with Diana Ross and created her gorgeous 1986 wedding gown. picture alliance via Getty ImagesRoss, pictured here in 2001 with Mackie, often modeled his glittering and feathered looks on the stage. WireImageCher has always pushed even Mackie to the limits, with the star shocking in a nearly nude illusion gown at the 1974 Met Gala. Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesShe had viewers “horrified” by her ab-baring Mackie design at the 1986 Oscars. Bettmann ArchiveMackie famously told Cher not to associate him with her risqué “If I Could Turn Back Time” music video. Michael Ochs ArchivesAfter meeting Diana Ross in 1969, the two became very close and Mackie even designed her wedding dress when she wed Arne Naess, Jr. in 1985: a stunning silk number with a long-sleeved lace cape.Mackie’s most lasting collaboration was with Cher, whom he met on the set of “The Carol Burnett” show when the singer was a guest star.The pair famously butted heads at points, with Mackie telling Page Six Style last year that when he first met Cher, he thought, “This girl is not my style. All the pictures of her were like frowning and pouting with Sonny [Bono].”But their creative collaboration endured through seven decades and made fashion history. Some of their most renowned looks include Cher’s naked dress from the 1974 Met Gala, her wild 1986 Oscars set complete with a feather headpiece, and the racy bodysuit from her 1989 “If I Could Turn Back Time” video (with which Mackie infamously asked not to be associated).The designer dressed A-list celebrities in a glittering array of rhinestones, fur, feathers, sequins and all that dazzles. Madonna wore a white sweetheart neckline gown (with Michael Jackson) to the 1991 Oscars. Ron Galella Collection via Getty ImagesSabrina Carpenter later wore Monroe’s archival gown to the 2024 VMAs. PA Images via Getty ImagesTaylor Swift borrowed a memorable bejeweled, Mackie-designed look from Vegas’ “Jubilee!,” the longest-running show in Sin City. taylorswift InstagramMiley Cyrus has worn Mackie designs on multiple occasions, including for her performance of “Flowers” at the Grammys in 2024. FilmMagicIn the late ’80s, Mackie teamed up with Mattel to design clothing for Barbie dolls, a partnership that lasted decades and saw him create nearly 50 individual dolls, including shaping their face and likeness as well as their clothes.He launched his eponymous fashion label in 1982 and has won nine Emmy Awards and earned three Academy Award nominations. In 2019, he won a Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical for his work on the jukebox musical “The Cher Show.”Pop stars of today have often looked to Mackie’s most iconic designs, too. Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande have all worn vintage Mackie on multiple occasions. Taylor Swift even borrowed one of the iconic outfits he made for the Sin City spectacular “Jubilee!” — the longest-running show in Vegas history — for her “The Life of a Showgirl” album shoot.
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