A history of Bob Mackie’s designs: in pictures
By Harry Sekulich
Published 18 minutes ago
Iconic fashion designer Bob Mackie passes away at 87
Bob Mackie, the renowned fashion designer who brought glitz and glamour to Hollywood’s golden age, has sadly passed away at the age of 87. His signature style, characterized by bedazzled, feathered, and beaded couture, left an indelible mark on the fashion world.
Here, we celebrate some of his most iconic designs:
A visual testament
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Marilyn Monroe’s 1962 birthday dress: At just 21, Mackie sketched the dress worn by the legendary Marilyn Monroe when she serenaded John F. Kennedy.
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Elton John’s sequinned baseball uniform (1975): A sketch by Mackie inspired this shiny ensemble, worn by the singer at Dodger Stadium.
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Cher’s partnership (1978-present): Their collaboration began in the late 70s, lasting decades, and resulted in iconic looks like a bugle-beaded dress.
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Charo’s glittery sequin dress (1980): The Spanish singer dazzled in a sequin-adorned gown in Los Angeles.
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Tina Turner’s disco-inspired dress (1982): A Mackie creation that brought the disco era to life as Turner performed in London.
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Cher’s gilded bodysuit (1985): A long-sleeved, gilded bodysuit that gave the illusion of sparkling leaves wrapping around Cher’s torso.
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Black diamond-cut lattice headdress (1986): Cher paired this ensemble with actor Don Ameche at the Oscars.
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Madonna’s jewel-studded gown (1991): A snowy fur stole complemented this sparkling dress worn by Madonna at the Academy Awards.
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Diana Ross’s sapphire sparkly dress (2001): Ross, accompanied by Mackie, showed off this glamorous ensemble at the American Fashion Awards.
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Beyoncé’s flame dress (2005): The iconic singer performed in Mackie’s flame-inspired dress at the Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
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Miley Cyrus’s vintage minidress (2023): Cyrus lit up the stage in a vintage Bob Mackie minidress for her New Year’s TV special.
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Zendaya’s rhinestone dress (2024): She wore a shimmering dress criss-crossed with rhinestones, gold, and white bugle beads at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
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Sabrina Carpenter’s 90s-inspired dress (2024): Carpenter paid homage to Madonna’s snowy outfit from 1990 with a pearl and crystal-embellished gown.
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Cyrus’s tribute at the Grammys (2024): Shimmering silver, Cyrus honored Mackie at the Grammy Awards, embracing his legacy.
Mackie’s designs, often described as "sequin-studded dreams," continue to inspire and leave a lasting impact on the fashion world. His work is a testament to his creativity, skill, and enduring influence on Hollywood glamour.
