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

Romeo Beckham, the 23-year-old son of legendary footballer David Beckham and designer Victoria Beckham, has made his debut in the fashion industry. The heir to the famous family unveiled his own clothing label, «Intra».

Almost the entire Beckham family attended the presentation of his first collection in London, including his parents, his younger brother Cruz Beckham, and their partners – singer Jackie Apostel and model and DJ Kim Turnbull. The only notable absence was his older brother Brooklyn Beckham, who appears to have distanced himself from the family.

In photos shared on Instagram by former Spice Girls member and designer Victoria Beckham, the entire family can be seen posing in sporty jackets from the new «Intra» collection.

Judging by the first images, the brand’s debut line draws strong inspiration from football culture and aesthetics. The collection is dominated by windbreakers and retro-style sportswear.

For the Beckham family, this is far from the first time their children have ventured into independent business projects. Several years ago, Brooklyn launched his own sauce brand, Cruz chose to pursue a career in music, while the youngest child, 14-year-old Harper Beckham, is also reportedly planning a future in the beauty industry and is already working on her own cosmetics projects.

Photo: Instagram @victoriabeckham

On January 21, 1905, the legendary French fashion designer Christian Dior was born. His work transformed the world of fashion, and for over 70 years, his brand has remained one of the most desired globally, embodying refined taste and luxury. While you are probably familiar with Dior’s clothing, cosmetics, or perfumes, how much do you know about the designer himself? Here are a few fascinating facts from his life that you might not have known!

A favorite hobby

The designer loved gardening. In his childhood, Christian’s mother, Madeleine Dior, owned an extensive catalog of seeds and plants by Vilmorin-Andrieux. It seems this love for gardening was passed down to Christian, as his mother also enjoyed tending to the family garden at their estate in Granville, Normandy.

Flowers later became a source of inspiration for Dior. He once said: «Aside from women, flowers are the most divine creations.»

Parental demands

The future couturier dreamed of studying art and architecture, but his parents had other plans. They wanted their son to become a diplomat, so Christian was forced to study political science. However, he left after three years without completing his education.

After serving in the army, Dior’s parents helped him open an art gallery, but they insisted that the family name «Dior» not be associated with the business, as it was already tied to their fertilizer company, Frères Dior.

When the financial crisis struck, the gallery closed, but Christian began earning a living by creating successful sketches of dresses and suits for the fashion industry.

The Dior fashion house

In 1946, Dior secured financial support and finally opened his own fashion house. However, the brand officially dates its inception to February 1947, when Dior presented his first collection, which journalists dubbed New Look.

With cinched waists, voluminous skirts, embroidery, and lightweight fabrics, Dior’s designs were a fresh breath of luxury and femininity in post-war fashion. Women, long deprived of glamorous styles, quickly embraced his creations, making Dior a global sensation.

Talismans and lucky stars

Christian Dior was deeply superstitious and believed in the power of talismans. He always carried them with him, especially a five-pointed star that he once found near the British Embassy in Paris. That same night, he met French billionaire Marcel Boussac, who supported Dior’s idea of founding his own fashion brand.

Even in this decision, superstition played a role: Dior visited a fortune-teller, who insisted on the name The House of Christian Dior. The designer frequently consulted psychics throughout his life.

Love for English culture

Dior had a unique relationship with Britain, not just as an admirer but as an enthusiastic fan.

«I adore the English, dressed not only in their tweeds, which suit them perfectly, but also in their floating dresses in delicate shades, which they’ve worn so elegantly since the days of Gainsborough,» he once said.

Dior’s first fashion show took place in London’s Savoy Hotel in 1950 and became one of the most successful in his career.

The creation of «Miss Dior»

After establishing his fashion house, Dior decided not to stop at clothing and created his iconic perfume, Miss Dior. This fragrance has charmed generations of women worldwide and continues to do so today.

The name reflects two things dear to the designer: his younger sister, Catherine, to whom the perfume was dedicated, and his love for Britain. Dior deliberately chose «Miss» instead of the French «Mademoiselle» as a nod to English culture.