Bob Mackie , the celebrated designer behind some of Cher’s most unforgettable looks, died on September 14, 2026, at age 87, according to a statement shared on his Instagram account. The statement did not provide a cause of death, but celebrated Mackie’s lifelong dream of working in fashion and costume design. Mackie built a career around theatrical glamour, earning nicknames including the Sultan of Sequins and the Guru of Glitter. His designs transformed performers such as Cher, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli, and RuPaul into walking spectacle. How Bob Mackie Changed the Dress Code Mackie’s creative partnership with Cher began in the 1970s and lasted across television, concerts, red carpets, and the Met Gala. One of his most talked about designs showed Cher’s midriff, helping make her the first person approved to reveal her belly button on television. Born in Monterey Park, California, in 1939, Mackie found his calling after watching An American in Paris and becoming captivated by its choreography and costumes. He later worked with Jean Louis and Edith Head before joining The Carol Burnett Show, where he designed about 60 costumes per week, including the famous curtain ensemble from a Gone With the Wind sketch. Mackie also shared a business and romantic partnership with designer Ray Aghayan from 1963 until Aghayan’s death in 2011. Mackie’s influence is still visible in current pop fashion, with Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus, and Taylor Swift wearing archival pieces. Carpenter paid tribute to Mackie on Instagram, calling his creations one of a kind and crediting them with inspiring confidence and joy.