Bob Mackie, the legendary US fashion and costume designer known for creating dazzling outfits for Cher, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner and Elton John, has died of pneumonia at the age of 87.
Mackie died in Palm Springs, California, from pneumonia, his representative confirmed to PEOPLE.
Meanwhile, his death was announced on Monday in a statement shared on his official Instagram account.
The statement described Mackie as a designer who lived his years “to the fullest” and fulfilled his dream of becoming a fashion and costume designer.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr Bob Mackie passed away today,” it read.
“He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do. His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”
Mackie’s career
Born in Monterey Park, California, in 1939, Mackie built a career creating glamorous and daring costumes for some of the biggest stars in entertainment.
Over the years, he became known as the ‘Sultan of Sequins’ because of his sparkling designs, elaborate costumes and bold fashion choices.
During his career, Mackie won a Tony Award and nine Emmy Awards. In addition, he received three Academy Award nominations.
His work with Cher
Mackie also had a major influence on Cher’s career and created several of the singer’s most memorable looks.
Among them was the iconic Mohawk outfit Cher wore to the Oscars in 1986.
The outfit later became known as Cher’s “revenge” look after the singer was not nominated for an award that year.
The showgirl-inspired costume featured a large, feathered Mohawk headdress and left Cher’s midriff bare. As a result, its daring design shocked audiences at the time.
However, the outfit later became one of the most recognisable looks in Academy Awards fashion history.
Personal life
Mackie married singer and actress LuLu Porter in 1960, and they had a son, Robin. The couple divorced in 1963.
Robin later struggled with drug addiction before receiving an AIDS diagnosis. He died from an AIDS-related illness in 1993.
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