Bob Mackie Death News: Renowned American fashion designer Bob Mackie has passed away at the age of 87. The designer was famous for creating masterpieces out of celebrities’ wardrobes. Throughout his career, he has dressed numerous stars such as Cher, Diana Ross, Carol Burnett, Tina Turner and Bette Midler. He won 9 Primetime Emmy Awards, got 3 nominations for an Oscar award and became a member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2002.
Who was Bob Mackie?
Robert Gordon Mackie was born and gained the reputation of being one of Hollywood’s best-known costume designers. Because of his flamboyant designs with lots of sequins, feathers, beads and striking silhouette, he received the title of “Sultan of Sequins.” He was especially famous for making costumes to match the star qualities of the actors.
Bob Mackie Age
Bob Mackie died at the age of 87. Bob Mackie was born on March 24, 1939, in Monterey Park, California. He grew up mostly in Southern California.
Bob Mackie Early Life
Changes in Mackie’s family during his childhood molded his personality. In a separation of his parents, he was brought up for some time by his maternal grandparents at Alhambra. When he became a teenager, he lived with his father at Rosemead and the passion for arts led him to design costumes and fashion.
Bob Mackie Educational Background
Mackie attended Pasadena City College and the Chouinard Art Institute shortly after graduating from Rosemead High School. At the Chouinard Art Institute, he studied fashion design under department head Eva Roberts. He left school before graduation when he got an opportunity to work at Paramount Studios.
Bob Mackie Career
- Mackie began by creating drawings for Golden Age costume designer Jean Louis.
- He later worked as an assistant to Edith Head.
- At 23, he began working on The Judy Garland Show.
- He served as costume designer for all 11 seasons of The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1978.
- He designed costumes for Mama’s Family and The Sonny and Cher Show.
- He created costumes for Cher’s concert tours.
- His career produced 9 Emmy wins and 3 Oscar nominations.
- In 2002, he became the first costume designer inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
Bob Mackie Family
Mackie was born to parents Mildred Agnes Smith and Charles Robert Mackie, with one older sister and his father was employed by the Bank of America. His personal life was very much tied up with the world of entertainment due to his marriage.
Bob Mackie Wife
Mackie got married to Lulu Porter, who was a singer, an actor and also a drama coach in 1960. This marriage lasted three years until they divorced in 1963. It was in the same year that Mackie started working for the show The Judy Garland Show as an assistant to costume designer, Ray Aghayan.
Bob Mackie Children
Mackie and LuLu Porter had one son, Robin. Robin later died in 1994 from AIDS-related causes, a deeply personal loss in Mackie’s life.
Bob Mackie Net Worth
Bob Mackie had an estimated net worth of around $10 million, as stated by Celebrity Net Worth from the provided information. The money made by him came from his entire working life that included TV, movies, stage productions, fashion designing for celebrities, collectible dolls and business deals. He even started the “QVC Wearable Art Collection” in the 1990s.
Bob Mackie Cause of Death
However, the reason for the death of Bob Mackie was not disclosed in the above-given report. The information was given through his social media pages, which announced his demise aged 87, without giving medical details. The information recalled his 87 years of life and his passion for fashion design.
Bob Mackie Barbie Dolls and Dresses
Mackie’s partnership with Barbie became another major part of his legacy. His collectible designs were aimed at collectors and were markedly more theatrical than everyday Barbie fashion.
As per his official website, here is the list of barbies:
- Amethyst Aura Barbie: A glamorous look with Swarovski crystals, soft velvet and satin, with violet beads in her hair.
- Emerald Embers Barbie: A regal design covered in deep emerald green crystals.
- Fantasy Goddess of Africa: A fitted gown with rich embroidery and beading, along with detailed cuffs, a neckpiece and headdress.
- Fantasy Goddess of Asia: A chartreuse and green gown with sheer netting and beading, completed by a decorated dragon.
- Goddess of the Sun: A slim-fitting gown covered with more than 11,000 hand-sewn sequins and beads, with a large collar inspired by the sun.
- Lady Liberty Barbie: A metallic, long-sleeved gown with a long train, an elaborate headpiece and a torch.
- Le Papillon: A strapless gown with pink and silver embroidery, large black butterfly wings and a detailed headpiece.
- Madame Du Barbie: An ice-blue brocade gown inspired by the opulence of an 18th-century French royal court.
- Masquerade Ball: A colorful harlequin gown with glass bugle beads arranged in diamond patterns, along with an elaborate hat.
- Moon Goddess Barbie: A midnight-blue sequined dress with a floor-length cape, deep blue hat and crescent earrings.
- Neptune Fantasy: A blue and green velvet and sequined gown with sea-inspired details and a sequined headpiece.
- Queen of Hearts Barbie: A red sequined gown with a heart-embroidered cape and an elaborate headdress.
- Radiant Redhead: Red Carpet Collection: A bold white gown with gold embroidery, beading and a bare midriff, completed with a faux fur muff.
- Ruby Radiance: A fiery red gown and turban decorated with Swarovski crystal rhinestones, along with a ruffled boa.
- Sapphire Splendor: A rich blue velvet and satin gown with a sparkling headdress.
- Starlight Splendor: A fitted black and silver gown featuring more than 5,000 hand-sewn sequins and beads, a matching headdress and feather train.
- Sterling Silver Rose: A deep purple gown with a silver and lavender fabric rose and bustle.
- The Charleston: A 1920s flapper-inspired orange dress with colorful beads, paired with a beaded leopard-print coat.
- Lady of the Unicorns: A deep green velvet gown inspired by medieval legend, decorated with swirling ribbon and golden and green details.
- Sterling Silver Rose: Mackie described the Barbie dolls as sophisticated designs created with collectors in mind. “The Barbies I have done are glamorous. She is not a high school teen queen. They are very sophisticated compared to the average Barbie. These dolls are geared more towards collectors. They are fantasy, a what-if, designed from the imagination”
- Fantasy Goddess of the Americas: A dramatic gold, white and aqua design featuring beading, sequins, embroidery, a bare midriff, a split skirt and an eagle-inspired headpiece.
- Gold Barbie: A fitted gown covered with 5,000 hand-sewn golden sequins, paired with a white feather boa and golden headpiece.
- Brunette Brilliance Barbie: A black velvet gown embroidered in silver, pink and purple, with a fuchsia overskirt and silver detailing
Mackie’s influence went far beyond clothing. He understood that a costume could become part of a performer’s identity with nine Emmy wins, three Oscar nominations, a Tony Award and decades of work with entertainment’s biggest names, his career left a distinctive mark on American popular culture.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the supplied source material. Details about Bob Mackie’s cause of death remain unconfirmed where no official information was provided.
