Bob Mackie, Legendary Costume Designer, Dies at 87
By Alexus Mosley
Photo Credit: Yuri Hasegawa/WSJ
Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie has died at the age of 87.
The news was announced in a post shared to Mackie’s official Instagram account on September 14.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” his team wrote. “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 was one of the most influential costume designers in entertainment history, known for creating unforgettable looks for stars including Cher, Carol Burnett, Tina Turner, Diana Ross and Barbra Streisand. Over the course of his career, Mackie became famous for glamorous, theatrical designs filled with feathers, sequins, crystals and dramatic silhouettes. His longtime creative partnership with Cher produced some of the singer’s most iconic fashion moments, including her elaborate television costumes, stage looks and red carpet ensembles.
Mackie also spent years working on The Carol Burnett Show, where he designed both glamorous costumes and comedic looks, including the famous curtain dress from the “Went with the Wind” sketch.
His designs helped shape the visual identities of some of the biggest stars of the 20th century. Mackie’s work earned him nine Emmy Awards and a Tony Award for The Cher Show. He was also inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
Even decades after many of his most famous designs debuted, Mackie’s influence remained visible in modern celebrity fashion, with younger performers continuing to wear and reference his work. Bob Mackie leaves behind a legacy built on glamour, imagination, and the belief that fashion should never be boring.
His designs may have dressed some of the biggest stars in the world, but Mackie was a star in his own right.