Bob Mackie, the 'Sultan of Sequins' behind Cher's most famous looks, dies at 87

Bob Mackie, the award-winning celebrity fashion and costume designer whose elaborate creations became synonymous with Cher, Tina Turner and Dolly Parton, has died. He was 87.

A representative for Mackie announced his death on Monday in a statement on Instagram, the Journal News reported: “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.”

Mackie was known for his elaborate sequined and beaded dresses and costumes, designed for some of the biggest names in entertainment — Cher, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton and Liza Minnelli among them — earning him the nicknames the “Sultan of Sequins” and the “Rajah of Rhinestones.”

His career began in Hollywood in 1960, when he was hired to design costumes for Paramount movies. He sketched the original design for the dress Marilyn Monroe wore to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962, and by 1966 was designing for Mitzi Gaynor in Las Vegas — winning two Emmy Awards for her variety show in 1976 and 1977. He went on to design the costumes and gowns for “The Carol Burnett Show” from 1967 to 1978.

Across his career, Mackie won nine competitive Emmy Awards, one honorary Emmy and one Tony Award, and was nominated for three Academy Awards between 1972 and 1983. He also designed limited-edition collectible Barbie dolls beginning in 1990.

Though he spent much of his career on the West Coast, Mackie maintained deep New York ties: his Bob Mackie Design Group keeps a Manhattan office at 230 Park Avenue, he presented collections at New York Fashion Week, and he designed costumes for numerous Broadway productions.

Mackie is survived by his granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.