Bob Mackie, the fashion legend and nine-time Emmy-winning costume designer, has died at 87. His team announced the news on Monday.
In addition to his everlasting work in the fashion industry, Mackie also appeared as a guest actor in several popular shows, including The Love Boat, Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City, and HBO’s Hacks.
An official statement from Mackie’s team on Instagram stated that 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.”
Widely known as the Sultan of Sequins, Bob Mackie designed outfits for renowned celebrities, including Cher, Diana Ross, Mitzi Gaynor, and Carol Burnett.
He appeared on The Carol Burnett Show for all 11 seasons and won 10 Emmy Awards for costume design (including 1 honorary award). Throughout his career, Mackie also earned three Oscar nominations for his work on 1972’s Lady Sings the Blues, 1975’s Funny Lady, and 1981’s Pennies from Heaven.
One of Mackie’s most iconic creations was the ensemble that Cher wore at the 1986 Academy Awards. The outfit featured black stretch pants, a bejeweled loincloth, knee-high boots, a black chain-link top, and a feathered Mohawk headdress.
He also designed clothes for celebrities such as Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Bette Midler, and Tina Turner. In 2002, Mackie was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Mackie also contributed to the stunning beaded dress Jean Louis designed for Marilyn Monroe to wear when she sang Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden in 1962. Mackie actually sketched out the flesh-colored dress for the designer.
The fashion icon also designed costumes for multiple theatrical productions, including Lorelei, featuring Carol Channing; On the Town, featuring Bernadette Peters; Platinum, featuring Alexis Smith; Moon Over Buffalo; Putting It Together, featuring Burnett and Minnelli; and Minnelli on Minnelli, featuring Liza.
Originally reported on ComingSoon.
