Designer Bob Mackie, a Palm Beach society favorite, dies at 87

Bob Mackie,the Emmy- and Tony-winning fashion and costume designer whose glittering creations helped define the images of Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross and countless other entertainers, died Sept. 14, 2026, at age 87.

While he was best known for costuming and dressing the stars, Mr. Mackie's glamorous, sequined and distinctly designed evening gowns have been Palm Beach society favorites for decades.

In a statement posted by his team, Mr. Mackie's representatives said he "lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer." Widely regarded as one of the most influential costume designers in entertainment history, Mr. Mackie left an indelible mark on television, music, Broadway and American pop culture.

Through the years, he presented his collections in Palm Beach boutiques and in fashion shows and galas during season.

He launched his first retail line, Bob Mackie Originals, in 1982. That year, he and his fashions had a three-day November run at Sara Fredericks on Worth Avenue. His time that season in Palm Beach kicked off with a fashion show-gala, where his collection was modeled in support of the Animal Rescue League, since renamed the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, at the former Poinciana Club.

"This is a first for Palm Beach," Fredericks, who died in 1986, said of the event at the time.

A Palm Beach Daily News article from December of 1982 noted that Mr. Mackie's debut at Sara Fredericks was "an immediate success." He told the Daily News that his goal was to become an established figure in New York fashion as he moved from costuming celebrities such as Cher and Burnett, to retail production. He aimed to create clothes that were sellable and wearable, he said.

"People have told me it's difficult. I know, it's been my job for 20 years," Mr. Mackie said. "It has never occurred to me to do something anti-figure or anti-feminine. ... Also, coming from California, the colors are different, brighter than in New York. Nothing somber."

He returned to Palm Beach in November of the following year for a repeat-run at Sara Fredericks and in support of the Animal Rescue League.

The late Lynn Phillips Manulis of luxury retailer Martha Inc., which for decades had a popular boutique on Worth Avenue, lauded Mr. Mackie's perfection of the "glamour look."

"He dresses a woman to make her look as beautiful as possible," Manulis told the Daily News in 1983.

Mr. Mackie's designs were also shown at galas in support of other Palm Beach causes, including a Hospice of Palm Beach fashion show and gala in 2000 at The Breakers.

In 2004, he presented his collection at the Angels of Charity Best of Fashion Luncheon at The Mar-a-Lago Club, with proceeds benefiting children's charities in Palm Beach County. The March event was presented in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, and featured 40 looks from Mr. Mackie's fall-winter collection.

"It's still all about fantasy and pretending, playing dress-up," he told the Daily News at the time.

Bob Mackie's California roots and Palm Springs connection

Though celebrated worldwide, Mr. Mackie's story was deeply rooted in California.

Raised in Southern California, Mr. Mackie attended Chouinard Art School before launching his career in Hollywood. He began as a sketch artist at Paramount Pictures and later worked under legendary costume designer Edith Head, helping shape the golden era of studio filmmaking.

In recent years, Mr. Mackie made Palm Springs his home, moving to the desert in 2020. He became a familiar figure in the Coachella Valley arts community, participating in book signings, film festival events, and local cultural fundraisers.

His connection to California entertainment stretched across decades, from television studios in Los Angeles to red carpets and award shows that helped make the state synonymous with celebrity culture.

"I’ve been really lucky, I’ve had the best clients ever," Mr. Mackie told the Palm Springs Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network. "I have people that I really admire, and I admire their work ethic and talent."

Bob Mackie career highlights: Cher, Carol Burnett and iconic costume designs

Mr. Mackie built a career spanning more than six decades and became known for elaborate costumes adorned with sequins, feathers, beads and dramatic silhouettes.

His breakthrough came designing costumes for "The Sonny and Cher Show" and "The Carol Burnett Show." One of his most famous creations was Burnett's curtain-rod dress from the show's spoof of "Gone With the Wind," a television costume that became an enduring piece of comedy history.

His partnership with Cher became one of the most celebrated designer-performer collaborations in entertainment. Mr. Mackie created many of the singer's most recognizable looks, including her daring 1986 Academy Awards ensemble and several of the glamorous stage costumes that helped define her public image.

Over the years, his client list read like a who's who of American entertainment, including Elton John, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Liza Minnelli, RuPaul, Pink, Madonna and many others.

Mr. Mackie's accolades included nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award for "The Cher Show," three Academy Award nominations and numerous lifetime achievement honors recognizing his influence on costume and fashion design.

How Bob Mackie transformed fashion, television and pop culture

Few costume designers achieved Mr. Mackie's level of cultural influence.

His designs transcended fashion, helping create the visual identities of some of the most recognizable performers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Celebrities frequently credited Mr. Mackie's work with elevating their performances and public personas, while generations of designers drew inspiration from his bold, theatrical aesthetic.

Whether on television, Broadway, Las Vegas stages or awards-show red carpets, Mr. Mackie's work demonstrated how costume design could become part of an artist's legacy.

Mr. Mackie often said he discovered his passion for costume design as a child after watching classic Hollywood musicals. He remained devoted to the craft throughout his life, frequently emphasizing the importance of understanding performers and designing costumes that enhanced their presence on stage and screen.

Family information and details about survivors were not immediately available on the day of his death.

Following news of his death, tributes poured in across the entertainment world.

Elton John described Mr. Mackie’s "vision" and "workmanship" as "unreal" in an Instagram post.

"I don't think I ever wore a Bob Mackie outfit and had anything fall off — not a sequin or a rhinestone or anything," John said. "His clothes were made so beautifully. He loved glamour like I love glamour, but more than anything, we shared the same sense of humour and had so much fun together."

He called Mr. Mackie's costumes "works of art," adding that he "will go down as one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood."

Burnett expressed her love for the designer in a post on Instagram.

"As for his genius, there are fashion designers who don't do costumes and there are costume designers who don't do fashion. Bob did it all," Burnett said. "There was no one like him."

Over the years, stars publicly praised Mr. Mackie's influence on their careers. In the documentary "Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion,"several entertainers reflected on how his designs shaped their images and elevated their performances.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Designer Bob Mackie, a Palm Beach society favorite, dies at 87