Fashion designer Bob Mackie who worked for Marilyn Monroe, Cher and Diana Ross, dies at 87

Famed Hollywood fashion designer Bob Mackie who created some of the most iconic dresses for the biggest stars has died at the age of 87.The artist's team shared the news on Monday morning on Instagram 'It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,' began the note.'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 worked on the famous sketch for Marilyn Monroe’s iconic Happy Birthday, Mr. President dress in 1962, which was designed by Jean Louis. When Monroe requested a skin-tight, 'naked' for the gala, Louis directed Mackie to create the preliminary design illustration.He was best know, however, for creating the over-the-top showgirl style dresses for singer Cher which won him the nickname Sultan of Sequins.The Los Angeles native also worked with Carol Burnett, Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Ann-Margret and Bette Midler. Famed Hollywood fashion designer Bob Mackie who created some of the most iconic dresses for the biggest stars has died at the age of 87. Seen in 2024 He often worked with Cher, who he designed risqué outfits for. Seen in the 1980sOne of Mackie's first jobs was as the costumer for The Carol Burnett Show, which ran from 1967 to 1978. Mackie’s most famous creation for that show was his 'curtain rod' Scarlett O’Hara dress from Gone With the Wind. Burnett was a hit in that sketch which was titled Went With the Wind!'He saved me and many a comedy sketch by coming up with wonderfully funny character outfits that not only enhanced the writing but many times gave me the clue as to what the character I was playing was all about,' Burnett wrote in the introduction to Frank DeCaro’s 1999 book, Unmistakably Mackie.The Carol Burnett Show is where Mackie met Cher, and they went on to have a very fruitful working relationship.He was hired to be the costume designer for her show The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, which premiered in 1971.In 1986, she wore one of his very risqué gowns to the Oscars when she presented the best supporting actor Oscar to Don Ameche.The look combined black stretch pants, a bejeweled loincloth, knee-high boots, a black chain-link top and a large feathered Mohawk headdress. 'Critics said, "Well, that's not fashion,"' he remembered. 'Well, it wasn't meant to be fashion. She wanted to do it just because it was fun.'Mackie was a 32-time Emmy nominee as well as a three-time Oscar nominee for his work on the movies Lady Sings the Blues, Funny Lady and Pennies From Heaven. Cher poses for a fashion photo session in a Bob Mackie Creation in 1978 in Los Angeles Cher in a Mackie gown posing in the press room at the 1988 Academy AwardsMackie also designed costumes for numerous theatrical productions.He worked on Lorelei starring Carol Channing, On the Town with Bernadette Peters, and Platinum starring Alexis Smith.The designer added his magical touch on Moon Over Buffalo and Putting It Together with Burnett.He also said he loved collaborating with Liza Minnelli on Minnelli Starring Liza. Mackie and Bernadette Peters attend Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love event in 2023 Carol Burnett and Mackie attend the Society of Singers' Lifetime Achievement Award Salute, held in Beverly Hills in 1989Mackie, who was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2002, loved for his clients to stand out.'You want the audience to be surprised when they walk out,' he said. 'You want them to swoon or ooh or ahh or clap — all of that is important, it’s part of the business of show business. It’s exciting. 'If a woman is going to do an hour and a half onstage and she’s just in a little black dress, she’d better be Judy Garland. You’re there to see her, you’re not just listening. So there needs to be something visual.'He also said: 'A woman who wears my clothes is not afraid to be noticed.'