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For more than five decades, one man decided what glamour actually looked like on a stage. Now, that thread has finally come to its end. Legendary fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie — the visionary behind sequined gowns that lit up red carpets for Cher, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and countless others — has died at 87, according to a post shared Monday on his Instagram account.

A Farewell in His Family's Own Words

"He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do," the post read. It continued with a promise that felt less like sentiment and more like simple fact: "His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world."

The Sultan of Sequins

Mackie earned his glittering nickname the hard way — through more than 50 years of dressing Hollywood's biggest names, one dazzling gown at a time. His designs for stars like Carol Burnett, Liza Minnelli and Barbra Streisand didn't just complement their performances; they became inseparable from the spectacle itself, stunning audiences and fellow performers alike.

From Sketch Artist to Star-Maker

Mackie's story began humbly, in the Los Angeles suburb of Monterey Park. He started out in 1961 as a costume design sketch artist — a behind-the-scenes role that hardly hinted at the spotlight he'd eventually command. His breakthrough came in 1966, when he was chosen to reinvent the look of actress, singer and dancer Mitzi Gaynor. According to a short biography on his website, the pairing was "a marriage made in heaven with dance, glamour and comedy all in one package" — a description that could just as easily summarize his entire career.

The Carol Burnett Connection That Changed Everything

Mackie's early independent designs caught the eye of Carol Burnett, whose producer went on to hire him to design the complete wardrobe for "The Carol Burnett Show" — a role he held for an impressive 11 seasons. It was the moment a talented designer transformed into a bona fide star in his own right.

Cher, Emmys and an Empire of Glamour

His work with Cher proved especially fruitful, earning him an Emmy in 1999 for "Cher: Live in Concert from Las Vegas" and another in 2003 for "Cher: The Farewell Tour." In 1982, Mackie expanded well beyond the stage, launching a ready-to-wear clothing collection alongside a line of collectible Barbie dolls — miniature icons dressed in red carpet-ready gowns complete with headdresses, dramatic trains and his unmistakable sequined shimmer.

A Career Measured in Trophies and Nominations

Over the course of his career, Mackie collected nine Emmy Awards from a staggering 30 nominations, along with three Oscar nods — a body of work that placed him firmly among the most decorated costume designers in entertainment history.

A Legacy That Refuses to Fade

"Women who wear Mackie dare to be noticed, and many of the entertainment industries biggest and brightest stars are still clamoring to be dressed by him," his biography states. It credits his signature style — vibrant colors, luxurious fabrics and intricate detailing — with work that "continues to exude timeless glamour," even now, as the man behind the sequins takes his final bow.

For decades, Bob Mackie didn't just dress stars — he helped define what stardom looked like, one sequin at a time. That legacy, stitched into decades of unforgettable performances, isn't going anywhere.