Bob Mackie, the American fashion and costume designer celebrated for creating dazzling looks for some of the world's biggest stars, has died at the age of 87.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr Bob Mackie passed away today," a statement posted on his official Instagram account announced on Monday. "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," the statement added.
Known as the "Sultan of Sequins" for his sparkling creations, Mackie won a Tony Award and nine Emmy Awards during his career, and received three Oscar nominations. His work spanned five decades and extended beyond Hollywood costumes to include designing a Barbie doll clothing collection.
Mackie was particularly influential in Cher's career. He designed her iconic Mohawk outfit, which she wore to the Academy Awards in 1986. The showgirl-inspired costume featured a plumed mohawk headdress and exposed her midriff, a look widely considered shocking at the time.
"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.
The costume has since been regarded as one of the most outrageous and extravagant ever to appear at the awards ceremony.
Mackie was also the designer behind several of Sir Elton John's most memorable stage outfits, including his bedazzled Dodgers baseball costume worn during performances at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1975.
"Every time I put something on that Bob made, I felt very, very special," Sir Elton John wrote on Instagram. "His costumes were works of art, and he will go down as one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood."
Singer Pink also paid tribute, sharing photographs of outfits Mackie created for her Funhouse tour in 2009. "I was so lucky to be dressed by him for so long. He was loving, wickedly funny and an absolute genius," she wrote. "There are going to be some fabulously dressed angels."
Mackie remained active as a designer until recently. Sabrina Carpenter wore one of his designs at the MTV Video Music Awards last year. He also designed the dress Miley Cyrus wore during her performance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, the night she won a Grammy for her song Flowers.
Robert Gordon Mackie was born in Monterey Park, California, in 1939. He began his design career as a sketch artist for Jean Louis, a French-American costume designer. Among his early assignments, he sketched the dress Marilyn Monroe wore when she sang "Happy Birthday Mr. President" to John F. Kennedy in 1962.
Mackie married Hollywood singer and actress Lulu Porter in 1960. They divorced three years later and had one son together, Robin, who died in his early thirties from an AIDS-related illness. Mackie was in a relationship with Iranian fashion designer Ray Aghayan from 1963 until Aghayan's death in 2011.
In a 2018 interview, Mackie reflected on his longevity in the industry. "I think I'm the oldest living designer in Hollywood," he said. When asked whether he would ever retire, his answer was straightforward: "I hope not."
