Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie dies aged 87
BBC News
Image source: Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
Image caption: Bob Mackie at a red carpet event in Los Angeles in January
By Tiffany Wertheimer and Jack Burgess
Published 3 hours ago
US fashion designer Bob Mackie, known as the "Sultan of Sequins" for his sparkling creations, has died aged 87.
A statement on his Instagram account announced: "It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr Bob Mackie passed away today."
"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 continued. "His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world."
Mackie designed iconic outfits for stars including Cher, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, and Elton John.
He is perhaps best known for creating Cher's legendary Mohawk outfit, worn to the 1986 Oscars, which became known as her "revenge" dress because she wasn't nominated for a movie that year.
Mackie also designed several of Sir Elton John's iconic outfits, including his famous Dodgers baseball uniform adorned with sequins.
Singer Pink also wore many of his designs over the years, praising him as "an absolute genius."
Even recently, Mackie continued to design, including outfits for Sabrina Carpenter at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards and Miley Cyrus' Grammy Award performance dress in 2024.
Born Robert Gordon Mackie in Monterey Park, California, in 1939, his design career began as a sketch artist for Jean Louis.