Remembering the Sultan of Sequins
Bob Mackie, Legendary Fashion and Costume Designer Known as Sultan of Sequins, Dies at 87
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Key Points
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Mackie’s professional breakthrough came in 1966, when Mitzi Gaynor hired him to design costumes for her Las Vegas revue and later television specials; he won Emmys for her 1976 and 1978 shows.
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Mackie’s longtime professional and life partner, Ray Aghayan, collaborated with him on several Oscar-nominated films, including Funny Lady, for which they designed 40 complete 1930s-style outfits for Barbra Streisand’s character, including accessories and shoes.
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Carol Burnett estimated that Mackie designed more than 17,000 pieces for The Carol Burnett Show; Burnett also recalled, “He was the best. He designed 50 costumes a week for our show.”
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Mackie said his grandparents nurtured his interest in art after his parents separated when he was 2, and that classic Hollywood stars such as Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth inspired him to draw costumes.
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Explaining Cher’s revealing 1986 Oscars look, Mackie said critics objected that it was not fashion, but added: “Well, it wasn’t meant to be fashion. She wanted to do it just because it was fun.”
Bob Mackie, the legendary designer known as the "Sultan of Sequins," died September 14 at age 87, according to ABC7. His cause of death was not disclosed. Over more than five decades, Mackie created flamboyant costumes for Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, and other major stars. His work defined televised performance and celebrity identity for generations.
Mackie's influence stretched from Marilyn Monroe's iconic 1962 "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress to Cher's daring 1986 Academy Awards ensemble. He won 9 Emmy Awards, earned 3 Oscar nominations, and claimed a Tony Award for The Cher Show. ABC30 noted he designed more than 450 costumes for The Carol Burnett Show alone, including the famous "curtain rod" gown from a Gone With the Wind parody.
Five Decades Dressing Hollywood's Biggest Stars
Mackie's breakthrough came in 1966 when Mitzi Gaynor hired him to design costumes for her Las Vegas revue and television specials. He won Emmy Awards for her 1976 and 1978 shows. His longtime partner Ray Aghayan collaborated with him on Oscar-nominated films including Funny Lady, where they created 40 complete 1930s-style outfits for Barbra Streisand, down to accessories and shoes.
Carol Burnett estimated Mackie designed more than 17,000 pieces for her variety show. "He designed 50 costumes a week for our show," Burnett recalled. 6ABC reported that Mackie's work on the show helped make elaborate costume design central to comedy and celebrity identity, not just film or stage productions.
How Childhood Inspiration Shaped His Artistic Vision
Mackie's parents separated when he was 2 years old. His grandparents nurtured his artistic interests during his childhood. Classic Hollywood stars like Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth inspired him to draw costumes from an early age. That passion for glamorous, theatrical design never left him throughout his career.
Breaking Rules With Cher's Most Controversial Outfit
Mackie's 1986 Oscars design for Cher sparked immediate criticism from fashion purists. Critics said the revealing ensemble wasn't "fashion." Mackie responded simply: "Well, it wasn't meant to be fashion. She wanted to do it just because it was fun." The dress became one of the most memorable Academy Awards moments ever, proving that spectacle and entertainment could matter more than conventional style rules.
Costume Design as Cultural Memory and Legacy
Mackie treated clothing as performance extension rather than conventional fashion. His distinctive silhouettes, theatrical excess, and bold choices made performers instantly recognizable. Designs linked to Marilyn Monroe, Cher, and Carol Burnett became cultural symbols because they fused visual spectacle with major moments and celebrity identity. His nine Emmy wins, three Oscar nominations, and induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame proved that costume design is both artistic discipline and strategic storytelling tool.
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