Bob Mackie dies: the creator of Cher’s iconic looks was 87 years old

Known as the “creator of stars,” Bob Mackie was recognized for his flamboyant costumes adorned with sequins, feathers, and rhinestones. In addition to Cher, he dressed Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Madonna, Elton John, Barbra Streisand, and Dolly Parton throughout a career spanning more than six decades.

His collaboration with Cher began on television in the late 1960s and resulted in several iconic outfits. Notably, he designed the sheer dress worn at the 1974 Met Gala and the striking black ensemble with a dramatic headdress that the singer wore at the Oscars in 1986.

Bob Mackie started his career as a fashion illustrator. While working for costume designer Jean Louis, he sketched the dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962. He later designed costumes for all eleven seasons of “The Carol Burnett Show,” including the famous dress made from a curtain, which is now preserved at the Smithsonian.

The designer won nine Emmy Awards and a Tony Award, and received three Oscar nominations for costume design. He also created collections of Barbie dolls and was the subject of the 2024 documentary “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion.” Just months before his death, he made an appearance in the fifth season of the series “Hacks.”