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Bob Mackie, iconic fashion and Costume Designer, has died at the age of 87. Bob Mackie was an internationally renowned costume and fashion designer who has dressed some of the most glamorous entertainment icons in the world. With a career spanning five decades, nine Emmy Award wins, three Academy Award nominations, and an induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame,
Mackie’s Instagram posted the following message:
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today. 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.
Bob Mackie’s career is nothing short of legendary. Most recently, he received a 2019 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for his work on The Cher Show.
A native of Southern California, Bob’s career began in 1961, where he was in demand as a sketch artist for many costume designers in film, including Edith Head and Jean Louis. In 1966, the vivacious Mitzi Gaynor decided she was ready for a whole new look and quickly engaged Mackie to design the costumes for her famous Las Vegas Review and her upcoming television specials. For Mackie, this was a marriage made in heaven with dance, glamour, and comedy all in one package.
After seeing Gaynor’s Las Vegas show, Carol Burnett and TV producer, Joe Hamilton hired him to design the entire wardrobe for the first Carol Burnett Show, where he remained the show’s Costume Designer for it’s eleven year run on air. Bob is equally well known for his designs worn by Cher on her television show, as well as her concert tours, winning an Emmy in 1999 for Cher: Live in Concert from Las Vegas and in 2003 for Cher: The Farewell Tour.
His theatrical credits include Lorelei with Carol Channing, On the Town with Bernadette Peters, Platinum with Alexis Smith, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public with Dee Hooty, Moon Over Buffalo and Putting It Together, both with Carol Burnett; and Minnelli On Minnelli with Liza Minnelli. He also designed the costumes and scenery for the world premiere of the ballet, Blue Suede Shoes, featuring the music of Elvis Presley, as well as the costumes for the San Francisco Opera’s production of Alban Berg’s Lulu.
In 1982, the Bob Mackie ready-to-wear collection and Bob Mackie Barbie collectable dolls debuted, ushering a groundbreaking time for the Mackie brand. The Bob Mackie Barbie does continue to be sought after by collectors and consumers alike. The 1990s saw the launch of the widely popular QVC Wearable Art Collection and home furnishing collections.
In 1999, the Museum at The Fashion Institute of Technology (“FIT”) honored Mackie’s enormous contribution to fashion and costume design with the retrospective Unmistakably Mackie, now hailed as one of the most highly attended exhibitions in New York City history. The exhibit included more than 125 examples of Mackie’s designs, sketches, photos, and videos spanning his incredible career. In conjunction with the retrospective, the vibrantly illustrated book, Unmistakably Mackie by Frank DeCaro, was also released.
Mr. Mackie’s unprecedented career achievements continue to be recognized. Bob was awarded the TDF Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 for theatrical costume design. The Hollywood Arts Council honored Bob in 2008, with the “Charlie” (Chaplin) Award for Fashion Arts, acknowledging his contribution to the arts in Hollywood. In May 2011, Otis College of Art and Design, where Bob has mentored students for over two decades, honored him with the Design Legend Award and an Honorary Doctorate Degree. In April 2016, Bob was honored by the Chicago History Museum with the Designer of Excellence Award and was a Geoffrey Beene CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 2019.
Women who wear Mackie dare to be noticed, and many of the entertainment industries biggest and brightest stars are still clamoring to be dressed by him. The Mackie brand continues to flourish with the QVC Wearable Art Collection and partnerships with Kas Rugs, Premium Bag, Horizon Beauty Group, Glance Eyewear, and The Bradford Exchange. With his choice of vibrant colors, luxurious fabrics, and intricate detail, Bob Mackie’s work continues to exude timeless glamour.
