The death of Bob Mackie
Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie, nicknamed the "Sultan of Sequins" for the glittering, feathered creations he made famous on Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and Dolly Parton, died September 14 in Palm Springs, California, of pneumonia. He was 87. Mackie rose to fame designing for "The Carol Burnett Show" across its 11-season run and became Cher's longtime collaborator, creating her barely-there 1974 Met Gala "naked dress," her 1986 Academy Awards feathered Mohawk ensemble, and countless other era-defining looks; he also designed Elton John's bedazzled Dodgers stage outfit and the gown Marilyn Monroe wore to sing "Happy Birthday" to JFK. Over his career he won nine Emmys, a Tony Award (for "The Cher Show"), and three Oscar nominations.
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As it ran
15 September 2026
- A history of Bob Mackie's designs: in pictures BBC News
- ‘Meant to Be Seen’: Cher on Bob Mackie and the Ultimate Revenge Dress New York Times
14 September 2026
- Legendary designer, whose daring looks stunned Hollywood, dead at 87 Fox News
- Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie dies aged 87 BBC News
- Fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie, who made stars sparkle, dies at 87 CNN
- Fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie dies at 87 CNN
- Bob Mackie, designer to the stars who dressed Cher and Marilyn and defined '70s glamour, dies at 87 AP
- Bob Mackie, designer to stars from Cher to Whoopi Goldberg and Pink, dies at 87 South China Morning Post
- Legendary Hollywood designer Bob Mackie's cause of death revealed Fox News
- 2018: Cher’s Favorite Designer New York Times
- Bob Mackie, Designer Who Bedazzled Carol Burnett and Cher, Dies at 87 New York Times
- Bob Mackie: A Life in Pictures New York Times