Bob Mackie, iconic fashion designer and Barbie collaborator, dies at 87

Bob Mackie fashion designer Barbie costume design pop culture

Fashion designer and Academy Award-nominated costumer Bob Mackie has passed away at the age of 87. Known as the ‘Sultan of Sequins,’ Mackie was a prominent figure in pop culture, bridging the gap between costume and high fashion.

Throughout his career, Mackie designed iconic looks for major celebrities, including Cher, Elton John, and Madonna. His work included the famous rhinestone dress sketched for Marilyn Monroe in 1962 and various exuberant costumes for The Carol Burnett Show.

Mattel also paid tribute to Mackie, noting his significant impact on the Barbie brand. Beginning in the late 1980s, Mackie designed over 50 different dolls for Mattel, including the 1990 limited-edition ‘Gold’ Barbie. His designs were credited with reintroducing glamour and runway-inspired aesthetics to the doll line, while also helping to introduce new ethnicities and expressions to the brand.

Entities

Barbie · Bob Mackie · Cher · Elton John · Mattel

Sources

Mattel Pays Tribute to Bob Mackie, Whose Barbie Designs Helped Solidify Doll as Fashion Icon: He Was an 'Extraordinary Collaborator' [wwd.com]

2 days ago

Bob Mackie Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family, Biography » StarsUnfolded [starsunfolded.com]

1 day ago

Od Šer je napravio modnu ikonu, oblačio i Madonu, a jednu svoju kreaciju nazvao „vulgarnim užasom“: Preminuo čuveni holivudski dizajner [stil.kurir.rs]

2 days ago

Sir Elton John leads Bob Mackie tributes after death of legendary Hollywood costume designer [www.thecoast.net.nz]

1 day ago

From Cher to Elton John, Bob Mackie Was Fashion's First Image Architect [www.gq.com]

2 days ago