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Legendary Costume Designer Bob Mackie Dies at 87
Confirmed
In Short: Bob Mackie, the 'Sultan of Sequins' and Tony Award-winning costume designer, has passed away at the age of 87.
Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie, known for his dazzling creations and iconic designs, has died at the age of 87. Mackie's career spanned Broadway, television, and film, earning him a Tony Award and nine Emmys, among other accolades.
Mackie's most memorable creation was Cher's 1986 Oscars outfit, a showgirl-inspired mohawk headdress and bare midriff that became a fashion landmark. Cher, who collaborated with Mackie for decades, described the outfit as her 'revenge' against not being nominated for an Oscar that year.
Mackie's influence extended beyond Cher, with his bedazzled, showgirl-inspired ensembles becoming his signature style. He designed costumes for Mitzi Gaynor, Carol Channing, and Carol Burnett, among others, and was pivotal in bringing a new level of glamour to the entertainment industry.
In his later work, Mackie was celebrated for his costume design on the Broadway show 'The Cher Show,' which featured recreations of his iconic designs for Cher. The show also included Mackie himself as a character, portrayed by Michael Berresse.
Mackie's legacy is celebrated by fellow industry professionals. Pink wrote, 'There are going to be some fabulously dressed angels,' in a tribute to Mackie. Broadway's tribute highlighted his 'genius and extraordinary designs' that continue to bring beauty to the world.
What's confirmed
- Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie, known for his dazzling creations and iconic designs, has died at the age of 87. Mackie's career spanned Broadway, television, and film, earning him a Tony Award and nine Emmys, among other accolades.
- Mackie's most memorable creation was Cher's 1986 Oscars outfit, a showgirl-inspired mohawk headdress and bare midriff that became a fashion landmark. Cher, who collaborated with Mackie for decades, described the outfit as her 'revenge' against not being nominated for an Oscar that year.
- Mackie's influence extended beyond Cher, with his bedazzled, showgirl-inspired ensembles becoming his signature style. He designed costumes for Mitzi Gaynor, Carol Channing, and Carol Burnett, among others, and was pivotal in bringing a new level of glamour to the entertainment industry.
- In his later work, Mackie was celebrated for his costume design on the Broadway show 'The Cher Show,' which featured recreations of his iconic designs for Cher. The show also included Mackie himself as a character, portrayed by Michael Berresse.
- Mackie's legacy is celebrated by fellow industry professionals. Pink wrote, 'There are going to be some fabulously dressed angels,' in a tribute to Mackie. Broadway's tribute highlighted his 'genius and extraordinary designs' that continue to bring beauty to the world.
What's still developing
- "It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr Bob Mackie passed away today," a statement on his Instagram account announced on Monday.
- It became known as her "revenge" outfit, because she wasn't nominated for anything. The showgirl-inspired costume featured a plumed mohawk headdress and showed Cher's bare midriff - a very new, and very shocking look at the time. The costume has gone down in fashion history as one of the most outrageous and extravagant ever to appear at the awards. "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," Cher explained in the 2024 documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion. Mackie told the BBC in 2010 that when Cher started out she "looked like no-one else in the entertainment business at the time".
- Bob Mackie at a red carpet event in Los Angeles in January Bob Mackie, who designed dazzling costumes for stars including Cher, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton and Elton John has died, aged 87.
- "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," it added.
- “I thought she would be kind of sullen,” said Mackie.
- Elsewhere on Broadway, Mackie designed costumes for the 1971 revival of On the Town, Platinum, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public and Moon Over Buffalo.