Bob Mackie, the American fashion designer whose shimmering creations defined show business glamour for more than half a century, died Monday at age 87. According to Breitbart News, which reported the death and published a retrospective of his work, Mackie built the wardrobes of Cher, Tina Turner, and Diana Ross, among others, while crafting some of the most famous gowns the world has ever seen.
Mackie’s aesthetic—sequins, sparkle, glitz, and unabashed glamour—became synonymous with the entertainment industry’s most dazzling moments. Breitbart’s John Binder, in a tribute published Monday, wrote that Mackie’s ethos centered on “the highest forms of glamour—the kind of fashion that has been lost in today’s collections.”
A Career Built on Sparkle
Mackie’s name became inseparable from Cher’s, as he designed many of her most memorable outfits over decades of collaboration. Their partnership began in the 1960s and continued through her solo variety show, which aired from 1975 to 1976 after the conclusion of the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.
Breitbart’s retrospective highlights several iconic Cher looks, including a 1974 appearance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala, where she attended with photographer Richard Avedon. The event, titled “Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design,” showcased Cher in one of Mackie’s designs. Another standout was a 1975 episode of her solo show featuring Tina Turner and Kate Smith, where Mackie’s costuming helped create a visual spectacle.
Mackie also dressed Cher for the 1986 Academy Awards, where she posed backstage with Don Ameche, who won Best Supporting Actor that night for his role in “Cocoon.” The following year, Mackie attended the Costume Institute Gala with Cher again, this time for the exhibition “Costumes of Royal India.”
Beyond Cher: Turner, Ross, and a Legacy of Glamour
While Cher may have been his most famous muse, Mackie’s influence extended across the entertainment landscape. He designed for Tina Turner, Diana Ross, and Dolly Parton, among many others. Breitbart noted that Parton wore Mackie designs on her 1987 variety show “Dolly.”
Mackie’s work also reached into pop culture moments that transcended fashion. He created the gown Marilyn Monroe wore when she famously sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden in 1962—a dress so iconic it was later sold at auction for millions. The Breitbart piece includes a photo of Monroe at a 1962 reception with Steven E. Smith, the brother-in-law of President Kennedy.
In more recent years, Mackie’s influence could be seen on stars like Miley Cyrus, who wore a Mackie design while performing at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024. The retrospective also features a photo of Madonna and Michael Jackson at Spago in West Hollywood, a reminder of the era when Mackie’s designs ruled red carpets and stages.
A Lasting Impact
Mackie’s death marks the end of an era in American fashion. His ability to blend outrageous glamour with impeccable craftsmanship made him a favorite of performers who wanted to dazzle. As Breitbart’s Binder put it, Mackie’s work represented a kind of fashion that has largely disappeared from contemporary collections.
Though he is gone, Mackie’s legacy lives on in the many iconic images he helped create—and in the sequins, feathers, and sparkle that will forever be associated with his name. Breitbart’s full list of his 10 most iconic looks can be found in their original piece.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/09/14/fashion-notes-bob-mackie/