From Marilyn Monroe to Sabrina Carpenter - Bob Mackie's designs in pictures

September 15, 2026

Legendary fashion designer Bob Mackie has passed away at age 87, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of glamorous, embellished designs that dressed entertainment's biggest names across multiple generations. His distinctive style featured elaborate beadwork, sequins, feathers, and dramatic silhouettes that made stars shine on stage and red carpets. Beginning with sketching Marilyn Monroe's famous "Happy Birthday Mr President" dress in 1962 at just 22 years old, Mackie went on to create iconic looks for performers including Cher, Elton John, Tina Turner, Madonna, Beyoncé, and modern stars like Zendaya and Sabrina Carpenter.

Who is affected

Bob Mackie (deceased at age 87)
Entertainment and fashion industry professionals
Celebrities who wore his designs including Marilyn Monroe, Cher, Elton John, Tina Turner, Madonna, Diana Ross, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Zendaya, and Sabrina Carpenter
Fashion enthusiasts and historians
The general public who appreciated his contributions to fashion and entertainment culture

What action is being taken

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Why it matters

Bob Mackie's death marks the loss of one of fashion's most influential costume and couture designers who shaped the visual identity of entertainment for over six decades. His designs became inseparable from iconic cultural moments, from Marilyn Monroe's presidential serenade to Cher's transformative red carpet appearances, establishing the template for celebrity glamour and stage performance fashion. His ability to create looks that felt both nostalgic and innovative influenced multiple generations of performers and designers, making his aesthetic timeless and continuously relevant across different eras of popular culture.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC