Bob Mackie, fashion designer for the stars, dies at 87

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

Costume and fashion designer Bob Mackie poses at his home in Palm Springs, Calif., on October 20, 2021. | Photo Credit: AP

Hollywood designer Bob Mackie, known for making stars such ​as Cher and Elton John ‌sparkle, died on Monday (September 14, 2026) at 87, ​according to a ⁠post on his official Instagram account.

His career spanned five decades and included designing a ‌Barbie doll clothes collection.

Born in 1939 into a ‌middle-class family in Monterey ‌Park, California, ⁠he was nominated for ⁠more than 30 Emmys, winning nine. He received Academy Award nominations for costumes ​worn in the films “Lady ‌Sings the Blues,” “Funny Lady,” and “Pennies From Heaven.”

“His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing ‌to bring beauty into this ​world,” his team said in an Instagram post. His ⁠cause of death was not stated.

Mackie was known for sequins, ‌rhinestones and glitter, but also humour.

The highlight of his 11-year run for The Carol Burnett Show was the “curtain dress” worn by Burnett in a sketch parodying ‌1939 film classic “Gone with the ​Wind.” The costume, now in the collection of the Smithsonian’s ⁠American History Museum, included a brass curtain ⁠rod balanced on Burnett’s shoulders and a bit of ‌valance worn as a hat.

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.