The fashion world is mourning the loss of American costume and fashion designer Bob Mackie.
The icon’s death was announced on his Instagram account on Monday afternoon.
Mackie was 87 at the time of his death.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” the announcement read.
“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 known for designing outfits for a number of celebrities, picking up nine Emmy awards across his decades-long career for his costume design on a range of variety and concert shows.
He was best known for his long-time collaboration with Cher, who paid tribute to the designer on X.
“My dear Bob has gone up to heaven, knowing him he’s bringing sequins, beads and his sketch pad,” she wrote.
“Good night sweet prince.”
With Cher, he created flamboyant designs for The Sonny And Cher show, and dressed her in black stretch pants, a bejewelled loincloth, knee-high boots, a black chain-link top, and a huge feathered mohawk headdress that was one and a half times taller than her head for the 1986 Oscars.
He also designed outfits for a number of Cher tours, The Cher Show in 2019, and for her Las Vegas residency from 2008 to 2011.
Mackie, who was given the nicknames “Sultan Of Sequins”, “Rajah Of Rhinestones” and “Guru Of Glitter” for his imaginative designs, also dressed stars such as Dolly Parton, Beyonce, Madonna, Pink, Miley Cyrus, Tina Turner, Elton John and Sabrina Carpenter.
Social media has been flooded with tributes for Mackie from his famous clientele.
Sir Elton shared an image of Mackie taking his measurements on Instagram and said he was “so sad”.
“Every time I put something on that Bob made, I felt very, very special. His costumes were works of art, and he will go down as one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood,” he wrote.
“Bob had extraordinary vision, and the workmanship was unreal. I don’t think I ever wore a Bob Mackie outfit and had anything fall off – not a sequin or a rhinestone or anything.
“His clothes were made so beautifully. He loved glamour like I love glamour, but more than anything, we shared the same sense of humour and had so much fun together.
“In a sea of ego, he seemed to have none. One of the most courteous, incredible people I ever had the pleasure of working with.”
On her Instagram stories, Sabrina Carpenter shared a series of images of outfits made by Mackie for her.
She wrote that she was “terribly devastated” and that she was a “Mackie girl forever”.
“I feel so lucky to have met Bob.
“His one of a kind creations have inspired and brought so much happiness and confidence to my world and they will continue to always.”
In the late 1980s, Mackie was approached by Mattel to design clothes for Barbie dolls, with his first limited edition doll, which had a gold outfit with a sequinned skirt, feather boa, and long ponytail, being released in 1990.
The official Barbie Instagram post commented on his death announcement post, “Thank you for inspiring generations to dream through fashion”.
Mackie was also the costume designer for The Carol Burnett Show during its entire 11-year run from 1967 to 1978.
Burnett shared a touching tribute to the designer on her Instagram account alongside an old photograph of the pair.
“Sadness doesn’t come close to how I feel,” the 93-year-old wrote.
“I loved him very much.
“As for his genius, there are fashion designers who don’t do costumes and there are costume designers who don’t do fashion. Bob did it all.
“There was no one like him.
- with PA
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