Bob Mackie: 10 of His Greatest Looks
Bob Mackie: 10 of His Greatest Looks
By Sophia Primos — September 28 2026
RuPaul once said, “Something happens when you put on a Bob Mackie outfit. Something magical happens.” And he could not be more right. On September 14, 2026, legendary American fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie passed away at 87. But his creations live on. Throughout his career, Mackie dressed some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Elton John, Miley Cyrus and many more.
Mackie’s designs were never just meant to be worn. They were made to make a statement and often became more memorable than the event itself. Covered in feathers, sequins, beads and sparkles, these designs were some of the most recognizable fashion moments in pop culture history. From Cher’s sheer gowns to Barbie herself, his work spanned more than six decades. In honor of the designer who made getting dressed feel a little more magical, here are 10 of Bob Mackie’s most iconic looks.
Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” Dress
Before Mackie rose to fame, he played a part in creating one of the most famous dresses in history. While working as a sketch artist at the age of 22 for French designer Jean Louis, Mackie drew the original sketch for the sheer, rhinestone-studded gown Marilyn Monroe wore to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962. The nude illusion of the dress was an early example of the style that Mackie would later become best known for.
Elton John’s Bedazzled Dodgers Uniform
For Elton John’s legendary 1975 concerts at Dodger Stadium, Mackie created a white Dodgers uniform covered in sequins, topping it off with a matching cap and “ELTON” and the number one across the back. What was created as a nod to the venue became one of John’s most recognizable looks and proof that Mackie’s designs extended far beyond glamorous gowns.
Cher at the 1974 Met Gala
Long before the “naked dress” became a red-carpet essential, Cher and Mackie were already doing it. Cher arrived at the 1974 Met Gala with Mackie in a sheer gown covered in strategically placed beading and white feathers. The dress gained more traction when Cher wore it for a photograph that later appeared on the cover of Time. This risqué look became one of the defining moments of Cher and Mackie’s partnership and helped establish the sheer glamour that would become his signature look.
“The Carol Burnett Show”
During his 11 years working on “The Carol Burnett Show,” Mackie designed an estimated 17,000 costumes for the cast and helped create the looks behind some of the show’s most memorable sketches. Out of those thousands of costumes, however, one stood out. For the 1976 Gone with the Wind parody “Went with the Wind!” Mackie turned a pair of velvet green curtains into an elaborate gown featuring the curtain rod attached across Burnett’s shoulders. The unexpected twist of the costume made it instantly recognizable and turned it into one of the most famous looks in TV history.
Diana Ross in An Evening with Diana Ross
For Diana Ross’s 1977 TV special An Evening with Diana Ross, Mackie created a wardrobe as glamorous as Ross herself. One of the most memorable looks was a dramatic pink dress covered in sparkling embellishments with pink feathers lined along the bottom. The costume was truly made for the stage. It captured everything Mackie did best: sparkle, drama and extravagance. He was even nominated for an Emmy for his work on the special.
Mitzi Gaynor’s Nude Illusion Gown
Before Cher’s famous barely-there gowns, there was Mitzi Gaynor. Mackie created the first nude illusion gown for Gaynor to wear while performing in her 1969 TV special. The full-length dress was covered in hand-sewn rhinestones and clear beads, with dangling strands that moved with Gaynor as she danced. This look was the beginning of the illusion technique that would eventually become one of the most recognizable elements of his work.
Cher at the 1986 Oscars
After being snubbed for an Academy Award nomination for her work in Mask, Cher arrived at the 1986 Oscars in a dramatic Mackie design topped with a feathered headdress. Cher later described it as “dressing that night for a kind of revenge.” And indeed she did. This defiant look became one of the most memorable Oscars outfits ever — people talked about it more than they talked about the actual award winners.
The Flame Dress
This Mackie design was too good to belong to just one star. His iconic flame dress, with embellishments that reflected light to look like fire itself, was originally created for Tina Turner. But the flames did not end with her. Versions of this look have appeared on other performers across generations, including Beyoncé, Cher and RuPaul. It was more than just a singular fashion moment — it was proof of Mackie’s timeless vision.
Barbie
In 1990, Mackie brought his designs to the Barbie world with the release of the Gold Barbie. With a gown covered in 5,000 hand-sewn gold sequins, a feather boa and a gold headpiece, the doll began a long collaboration between Mackie and Barbie, proving that his aesthetic was iconic even in miniature form.
Miley Cyrus’s 2024 Grammys Performance
More than six decades after his career began, Mackie’s designs were still stealing the show. Miley Cyrus performed her song “Flowers” at the 2024 Grammys in a sparkling silver 2002 Bob Mackie dress, bringing his glamour to a new generation. As Cyrus moved across the stage, the design looked anything but stuck in the past. From Marilyn in 1962 to Miley in 2024, Mackie’s clothes continued to do exactly what they were made to do: make a performance impossible to forget.
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