Legendary designer Bob Mackie died on Monday, September 14. He was 87.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” read a statement via his official Instagram account. “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.”
Some of Mackie’s most iconic designs included Cher’s famous naked dress at the 1974 Met Gala. He also initially sketched the design for Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress, which she wore while singing to President John F. Kennedy in 1962. (The dress was later created by Jean Louis.)
In 2019, Mackie opened up about working with Cher while chatting with Harper’s Bazaar. After meeting her in 1967 when she was guest starring on The Carol Burnett Show, Mackie thought to himself, “Boy, I like this girl, this is something.”
“A couple years later we started working together again. I would dress her up and it was really fun. I got to know her really well,” he recalled.
As for her iconic Met Gala look, Mackie called the naked dress trend “so silly.”
“People dressed up then, but not really dressed up like that. She walked in, and there I am standing next to her, and all of the sudden there were like a thousand photographers swarming us,” he shared. “They followed her the entire evening.”
More celebrities who have worn his looks include Taylor Swift, who stunned in a bedazzled costume while promoting her Life of a Showgirl album, Sabrina Carpenter, Carol Burnett, whom he dressed throughout her 11-year variety show, Diana Ross and Elton John.
Mackie was predeceased by his son, Robert Gordon Mackie Jr., whom he shared with his former wife, LuLu Porter. The exes were married from 1960 to 1963. Mackie later dated fellow designer Ray Aghayan from 1963 until his death in 2011.
Celebrities were quick to react to Mackie’s death via social media. Coco Rocha commented on the announcement, “So sad to hear of the passing of the legendary Bob Mackie. I had the enormous privilege of not only wearing Bob’s extraordinary creations, but working alongside him and getting to know the wonderful man behind all that glamour.” Laverne Cox added, “Rest in Power. Thank you Mr. Mackie.”
