Legendary fashion designer Bob Mackie, known for dressing icons such as Cher, Tina Turner, and Diana Ross, has passed away at age 87, according to a statement shared on his Instagram account.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Mr. Bob Mackie today,” the statement read. “He lived his 87 years to the fullest, pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a fashion and costume designer. His brilliance and extraordinary creations will endure, continuing to bring beauty to the world.”
No cause of death has been disclosed.
Mackie gained acclaim for his elaborate, theatrical designs, earning nicknames such as the “Sultan of Sequins” and the “Guru of Glitter.” His six‑decade collaboration with pop icon Cher brought him widespread recognition, as he dressed her in sequined creations for The Cher Show, the Met Gala, and numerous tours.
Born in Monterey Park, California, in 1939, Mackie fell in love with fashion after watching An American in Paris in theaters, inspired by its elaborate choreography, and decided to pursue a career as a designer.
Early in his career, Mackie apprenticed under costume designers Jean Louis and Edith Head. His breakthrough came on The Carol Burnett Show, where he produced roughly sixty costumes each week—including a curtain‑based outfit (rod and all) for a Gone With the Wind sketch. In 1963 he met designer Ray Aghayan, forming a business and romantic partnership that endured until Aghayan’s death in 2011.
Mackie’s legendary partnership with disco queen Cher began in the 1970s. While crafting some of her most iconic looks, he also pushed against the era’s dress‑code restrictions; one costume revealed Cher’s midriff, making her the first performer approved to display her belly button on television.
In addition to Cher and Burnett, Mackie created outfits for Whitney Houston, Mitzi Gaynor, Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli, and RuPaul. Those who wore his designs earned the nickname “Mackie Girls.” Contemporary pop stars such as Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus, and Taylor Swift have all donned archival Mackie pieces.
‘I feel so fortunate to have known Bob,’ Carpenter shared in an Instagram Story. ‘His one‑of‑a‑kind designs have inspired me, bringing happiness and confidence to my world, and they will always keep me a Mackie girl.’
Although Mackie primarily focused on womenswear, he also created outfits for Elton John and the Jackson Five. In the 1980s he designed for a unique client: Barbie. While working on limited‑edition collectible Barbies for Mattel, he encouraged the company to produce dolls representing diverse ethnicities and backgrounds, often outfitting them in attire that honored their heritage.
Mackie and Aghayan’s extensive film and television work garnered numerous accolades. They received three Academy Award nominations for Best Costume Design—for Lady Sings the Blues (1973), Funny Lady (1976), and Pennies from Heaven (1982). At the Emmys, Mackie was nominated more than thirty times and won nine, including for his work with Cher, Burnett, and Ross. In 2019 he earned a Tony Award for costume design on the jukebox musical The Cher Show.
In 2001 Mackie was honored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and in 2019 he received its lifetime achievement award. He became the first costume designer inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2002.
In a 2019 interview with Rolling Stone, Mackie detailed his philosophy on dressing performers: “These are all big‑personality individuals. They’re not merely dressed up; you’re always seeking that look, that gag that makes the act special. It’s about making them look good while visually entertaining the audience.”
