A Costuming Legend Passes Away
Bob Mackie, a legendary fashion designer and costuming icon died at the age of 87. CNN reports that the man who designed extravagant looks for performers like Diana Ross and Cher passed away. His career surprised and delighed audiences all over the world. The era before social media simply couldn’t get enough of his designs. A signature Mackie ensemble always had that diva edge that floods social media in the current era. Just today, tributes have started rolling out from the previous decades. Here’s what we know so far.
Bob Mackie Dead at 87
Modern pop stardom doesn’t look the same without Bob Mackie. The designer and costume icon passed away at the age of 87. He leaves behind a legacy of fanastic looks on some of your favorite performers and musical artists. Fans all over are sharing glimpses of his extensive catalog. Including the video you see right here. His official account wrote on Instagram:
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” the account wrote. “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.”
Making Costumes For The Stars
That vision of a diva in her element is so key for Mackie’s work. He talked about bringing the mental image of a star to the forefront during a 2024 conversation with Vogue. Fans see a performer as some sort of deity in a way, his costume designs made those wishes match what you saw in front of you on a stage.
Mackie explains, “I could create characters for [them] that weren’t always specified in the script. When you’re designing for performers, you have to think about what does the audience want to see them look like — especially if they’re playing big theaters or stadiums.”
“When I first started doing Cher, these starlets were coming out of the woodwork. They’d want me to do a dress—‘something like Cher’s’—and I’d just say, ‘You’re not Cher.’” – Mackie to Vogue previously
Met Gala Moments Personified
Mackey’s contributions also extended to the Met Gala. We might not have the yearly gathering of people on social media to gape at whatever your favorite superstar is wearing on that carpet without his work. In fact, one of Cher’s iconic looks was on display for the Academy Museum because of how audacious it felt like it was. He talked to Variety about it in 2021.
“The Met Gala and the Oscars outfit have been seen in papers everywhere. Especially the latter, it’s seen again and again. The actual dress was on display at the Academy Museum for the Oscars, and they had a couple of shots inside the museum,” he explaiend. “We loaned it to them for this exhibition this fall because they’re going introduce some of those famous looks. We had to ask Cher if it was alright, and that dress is so valuable now, so we had to make sure they insured it.”
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