American fashion designer and costume designer Bob Mackie, known for the sequined and glamorous gowns he created for celebrities including Cher and Diana Ross, died at the age of 87, according to an announcement posted on his social media accounts on Monday.
The statement said it was with great sadness that they shared the news that Mr. Bob Mackie had died that day. It said he lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a fashion and costume designer, which was all he ever wanted to do.
It added that his genius and extraordinary designs would endure forever and would continue to bring beauty to the world.
The statement did not specify the cause of death or provide further details.
A career that spanned decades
Mackie, born in California in 1939, was one of the most influential figures in American television and theatrical fashion, a career that earned him Emmy and Tony awards for his elaborate women's evening wear, which he shaped into extravagant forms and adorned with sequins, feathers and beads.
Nicknamed the "Sultan of Sequins," Mackie received an Oscar nomination, was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame, and received a lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
He began his career studying art before dropping out, and his path changed for good when he was discovered by designer Edith Head, which helped him land a job in 1961 as a sketch artist at Paramount Pictures, bringing him into the world of Hollywood he had previously only dreamed of.
Rise to fame with Carol Burnett and Cher
Mackie's career as a costume designer took off on The Carol Burnett Show, one of the most-watched programs of the late 1960s, for which he designed around 17,000 outfits for the comedian and host.
His fame grew further with the early 1970s variety program The Sonny and Cher Show, where he created many of the singer's most memorable looks. That work helped him build a roster of star clients that included Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton and Madonna.
Among his best-known creations is the "revenge dress" Cher wore to present an award at the Oscars in 1986, which featured an extremely low-cut skirt that exposed her midriff, a tiny top covered with mesh, and a large headpiece of black feathers.
The "naked dress" legacy
Mackie also designed the "naked dress" worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy in 1962, a garment that businesswoman Kim Kardashian later borrowed from a museum to wear on the red carpet at the Met Gala, sparking controversy.
He is regarded as a pioneer of the "naked dress" style that caused scandal in its era, such as the white feather-covered gown Cher wore to the Met Gala in 1974, a style that has since become a staple of red carpets everywhere.
Mackie remained active until the end of his life, continuing to dress new generations of pop stars including Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter.
Personal life
In his personal life, Mackie was married to actress Lulu Porter from 1960 to 1963. The couple had a son, Robert Gordon Mackie Jr., who died at the age of 33 from complications related to AIDS. Mackie was also a grandfather and great-grandfather. Following his divorce, his partner was costume designer Ray Aghayan, who died in 2011.
