Bob Mackie dies: remembering the dazzling creations of the legendary «Sultan of sequins»
From Cher’s iconic looks to his collaboration with Mattel
Legendary American designer and costume designer Bob Mackie has died at the age of 88.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Mackie dressed some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Tina Turner, Cher, Madonna, Liza Minnelli, Whitney Houston, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift all dazzled in his creations. His stage costumes were instantly recognizable for their sparkle, feathers, rhinestones, daring silhouettes and unmistakable sense of theatricality.
Throughout his career, Mackie received nine Emmy Awards and a Tony Award and was nominated three times for an Oscar for Best Costume Design. His name was also inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
We look back at some of the most iconic looks that made Bob Mackie — known in the fashion world as the «Sultan of Sequins» and the «Rajah of Rhinestones» — one of the most celebrated costume designers in the history of American show business.
1. Marilyn Monroe — the «naked» dress for John F. Kennedy
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A defining moment in Mackie’s career came when he met French designer Jean Louis. While working with him, the young designer took part in creating one of the most famous looks in fashion history.
We are talking about Marilyn Monroe’s legendary «naked» dress, which the actress wore in 1962 while wishing US President John F. Kennedy a happy 45th birthday.
Mackie later recalled: «My first job in Hollywood was with Marilyn Monroe, the greatest movie star in history».
The dress was made of silk and embellished with approximately 2,500 rhinestones. On stage, it created the illusion of an almost naked body, and Monroe’s appearance in the design became one of the most famous moments in American pop culture.
2. Cher — a glamorous look for the Met Gala
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Cher became Mackie’s primary muse and one of his most important clients. Their collaboration lasted for more than half a century, and together they created numerous looks that are still considered benchmarks of extravagant stage glamour.
One of the most famous was the sheer ensemble Cher wore to the 1974 Met Gala. The look was adorned with sequins and feathers that barely concealed the singer’s figure.
For its time, the outfit was extraordinarily daring. Mackie understood that Cher did not need to fit conventional Hollywood beauty standards — instead, her distinctive appearance and figure could be turned into her greatest advantage.
3. Cher — the legendary 1986 Oscars look
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Another Mackie creation for Cher became an instant sensation. At the 1986 Academy Awards, the singer appeared in black stretch pants, a jeweled belt, knee-high boots and a black chain-embellished top.
But the most striking detail was her enormous feathered headdress — a Roach, a traditional headdress associated with Indigenous peoples of North America. It stood roughly one and a half times the height of Cher’s head.
Mackie’s collaboration with Cher went far beyond red carpets. For decades, the designer created stage costumes for the singer, helping shape her instantly recognizable visual identity.
Among his projects was the «Cher at the Colosseum» show, which ran at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from 2008 to 2011, as well as «Cher», presented in Las Vegas and Washington in 2017.
Mackie also designed costumes for Cher’s «Here We Go Again» world tour, which celebrated the music of ABBA and ran from 2018 to 2020.
4. Madonna — a remake of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic look
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Bob Mackie did more than create costumes — he knew how to reinvent familiar cultural icons. One of the most striking examples was Madonna’s appearance at the 63rd Academy Awards in 1991.
For the singer, the designer created a revealing white gown covered in sequins and glass beads from the bodice all the way to the train. The look was a remake of Marilyn Monroe’s legendary dress, which she wore while singing for John F. Kennedy.
5. Whoopi Goldberg — Queen Elizabeth I
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In 1999, Mackie created one of the most spectacular looks in Oscars history for Whoopi Goldberg. That year, the actress hosted the ceremony and appeared on stage dressed as Queen Elizabeth I.
The costume was designed down to the smallest detail. Its defining elements included a distinctive collar and a heart-shaped ruff mounted on a high frame. The ensemble was decorated with precious stones and pearls.
The look showcased another side of Mackie’s talent — he could create not only sexy, sparkling costumes for pop stars, but also elaborate historical characters.
6. Barbie — glamour in miniature
In the 1990s, Mackie brought his distinctive aesthetic into the world of toys. The designer began collaborating with Mattel, creating outfits for the legendary Barbie.
His dolls wore dresses lavishly embellished with sequins, lace and decorative details. For Mackie, this became another way to express his love of fantastical glamour.
His collaboration with Mattel continued for decades. One of the latest projects was the «Barbie x Bob Mackie» doll, introduced in 2026.
7. Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli and other stars
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Cher was Mackie’s greatest muse, but she was far from the only celebrity for whom he created costumes. His clients included Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Elizabeth Taylor and many others.
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Mackie also worked extensively in television. He designed costumes for «The Carol Burnett Show», «The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour» and the variety show «Cher». His work with Carol Burnett became one of the defining stages of his career.
Legendary costume designer Edith Head took the young Mackie under her wing and gave him the freedom to experiment on «The Carol Burnett Show». His productivity was remarkable: he could create an average of 65 costumes a week for performers, dancers and guest stars.
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8. Miley Cyrus — a return to 1970s glamour
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Bob Mackie’s designs remained relevant long after their original era. In 2024, Miley Cyrus took the stage at the Grammy Awards wearing a vintage Mackie design from his 2002 collection.
The singer performed her hit «Flowers» in the sparkling cut-out dress inspired by 1970s glamour. The song earned her first Grammy Awards.
9. Taylor Swift — cabaret costumes for an album
Another striking example of Mackie’s enduring influence was Taylor Swift. For the promotional materials and cover of her 12th studio album, «The Life of a Showgirl», the singer chose authentic archival costumes inspired by showgirls and cabaret.
The album’s signature look was a legendary silver dress encrusted with crystals. The celebrated designer Bob Mackie originally created it for the «Jewel Finale», the grand finale number of the iconic Las Vegas revue «Jubilee».
Photos: Instagram @bobmackie, mattel.com, DepositPhotos.com
