From PhillyVoice · · 2m
Bob Mackie dressed six decades of divas
The designer behind Cher's Oscar dress and Marilyn's nude gown died at 87, with a new pop generation still wearing his work.
In brief
The designer behind Cher's Oscar dress and Marilyn's nude gown died at 87, with a new pop generation still wearing his work. Mackie's spangled originals kept finding new stars, from Cher and Carol Burnett to Sabrina Carpenter, Pink and Taylor Swift. Originally reported by PhillyVoice.
A costume legend dies at 87
Bob Mackie died Monday, his representatives announced on social media. He was the designer behind Cher's 1986 Oscar dress and the nude, rhinestoned gown Marilyn Monroe wore to sing for JFK.
Six decades of divas
His client list ran through Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner and Madonna. He also designed every single costume for Carol Burnett's variety show.
Young stars raided the archive
A new generation pulled Mackie pieces out of the vault for Met Gala and award show looks, Sabrina Carpenter and Pink among them.
Carpenter's half dozen originals
Carpenter, who grew up in Bucks and Montgomery counties, has worn at least six Mackie originals, each loaded with his signature spangles.
Gold at the Met, cursive at Coachella
She borrowed a 1985 gold Mackie piece for her Met Gala performance in May, then a mini dress with "California" in shiny cursive across the skirt for her second Coachella headlining set.
Ann-Margret's gown at the Opry
For her debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry, Carpenter wore a black gown Mackie had originally designed for Ann-Margret.
Mackie girl forever
Carpenter posted a tribute to her Instagram Story on Monday, saying his one of a kind creations brought happiness and confidence to her world.
“I feel so lucky to have meet Bob.”
Pink's acrobatic costumes
The Doylestown-born singer had Mackie build custom costumes that could survive her aerial stunts, and pulled vintage looks for red carpets.
A Cher sketch, reborn for Olivia
For her 2022 American Music Awards tribute to Olivia Newton-John, Pink wore a feathered gown based on a Mackie sketch originally drawn for Cher.
Pink's goodbye
She called him a hero and a genius in an Instagram post, describing him as loving and wickedly funny after years of being dressed by him.
“There are going to be some fabulously dressed angels.”
Swift's Vegas revue look
For "The Life of a Showgirl," Taylor Swift wore a silver studded bra, underwear and headdress Mackie made for the Las Vegas revue "Jubilee!" The photos appear on several album editions.
The takeaway
Mackie's spangled originals kept finding new stars, from Cher and Carol Burnett to Sabrina Carpenter, Pink and Taylor Swift.
