Bob Mackie, Legendary Designer Behind Cher's Iconic Looks, Dies at 87

Bob Mackie, the celebrated American fashion and costume designer whose dazzling creations defined generations of music, television and Hollywood glamour, has died at the age of 87, according to an announcement shared through his official social media accounts. Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry as artists, designers and fans remembered the man widely known as the “Sultan of Sequins.”

For more than six decades, Mackie transformed stagewear into an art form, creating unforgettable looks for some of the world's biggest stars, including Cher, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and, more recently, Miley Cyrus. His signature style, bold silhouettes, intricate beadwork, feathers and glittering embellishments, became synonymous with larger-than-life performance and helped redefine celebrity fashion.

Born in California in 1939, Mackie began his career sketching costumes before rising through the ranks of television during Hollywood's golden era. His breakthrough came while working on The Carol Burnett Show, where his imaginative costumes earned widespread acclaim and multiple Emmy Awards, establishing him as one of the industry's most sought-after designers.

His creative partnership with Cher became one of fashion's most influential collaborations. Together, they produced countless headline-making looks, including the sheer, crystal-embellished ensembles and extravagant feathered gowns that challenged conventional ideas of red-carpet dressing and remain cultural touchstones decades later.

Mackie's influence stretched far beyond awards shows and concert stages. His designs appeared in films, Broadway productions, television specials and international tours, blending theatrical spectacle with meticulous craftsmanship. Younger performers frequently cited his work as inspiration, with Miley Cyrus among the artists who embraced his unapologetically glamorous aesthetic in a new era of pop culture.

Although his official social accounts confirmed his death, no immediate cause was announced. Friends and colleagues described Mackie as a visionary whose generosity matched his extraordinary talent, celebrating a career that earned numerous industry honours and left an enduring imprint on costume design.

Bob Mackie leaves behind more than a remarkable portfolio of garments, he leaves a visual language that changed how performers express identity, confidence and spectacle. In an industry where fashion often becomes part of the performance itself, his creations will continue to sparkle long after the curtain falls.