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Bob Mackie, costume designer for Cher and Diana Ross, dies aged 87

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Fabbro, L. D. (2026, September 14). Bob Mackie, costume designer for Cher and Diana Ross, dies aged 87. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/instagram-diana-ross-elton-john-american-emmy-b1296974.html

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Evening Standard · collected 2026-09-14 · by Lauren Del Fabbro

Quick Summary

Bob Mackie, the renowned costume designer known for dressing stars like Cher and Diana Ross, died at age 87. His innovative designs earned him nicknames such as "Sultan of Sequins." Cher paid tribute to Mackie on X, saying he is now in heaven with sequins and a sketchpad. Elton John also mourned the loss, praising Mackie's visionary work and impeccable craftsmanship, noting that his outfits never fell apart during performances.
Written by AI on 2026-09-14, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Bob Mackie, the renowned costume designer known as the "Sultan of Sequins," died at age 87 in Palm Springs, California, due to pneumonia on September 14, 2026. Mackie's career spanned five decades and earned him numerous accolades, including nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and three Oscar nominations.

Mackie was celebrated for his theatrical designs that graced stars such as Cher, Elton John, Diana Ross, and Madonna. Notable works include the sheer beaded gown he designed for Cher at the 1986 Oscars and costumes for The Carol Burnett Show, one of which now resides in the Smithsonian’s American History Museum.

Fellow celebrities paid tribute to Mackie on social media, highlighting his unique ability to blend glamour with humor. His influence extended beyond Hollywood to include collaborations with brands like Mattel for Barbie doll clothing collections. Elton John remarked that wearing Mackie's creations made him feel "very special," and likened them to works of art.

Mackie’s designs are celebrated not only for their extravagance but also for their historical significance, making a lasting impact on the fashion industry and entertainment world alike. His legacy continues as his team stated, “His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”

Written for “Bob Mackie Designer Dies At 87” on 2026-11-01, grounded in this article and the 9 other(s) covering the same event.

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📰 Bob Mackie Designer Dies At 87
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This article reads unscored and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.
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How this article was measured signals, leaning charts, publisher record, byline, topics and claims

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Claims extracted
24
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
0%
0 of 24 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
65/100
Evening Standard's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
10
Entertainment
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
Analyzed 2026-09-14 · how these are computed

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Evening Standard · 8032 article(s) · 68 correction(s) detected
Running correction rate · 68 correction(s)

Who wrote this

Lauren Del Fabbro
100 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction
🔮 The tribute will take place at 7pm on Tuesday, November 3, with theatres across London joining together to honour the celebrated stage and screen star.
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🔮 The 20-year-old appears as District 12 tribute, Maysilee Donner, in the sixth and latest instalment of the hit blockbuster, The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping.
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🔮 A brand new Channel 4 series, Our Scottish Hotel, will take audiences behind the scenes as the couple and their 80-strong team take on major work at the estate.
🔮 I think a lot of people would be drawn to it.
2026-10-26 · assertive framing · Jimmy Carr: Comedy should be taught in schools
🔮 He will make his directorial debut with Animol, which follows young inmates in a juvenile detention centre as they navigate their lives and paths to redemption, and stars his Adolescence co-star Graham.
🔮 The 28-year-old singer claimed the prize on Thursday night for her second album This Music May Contain Hope, beating Sir Paul McCartney, Jade and Olivia Dean.
🔮 The 29-year-old content creator on Friday released Don’t Let Me Down, in which he appears to reference his time on the BBC series after he was recruited by Maya Jama and James Acaster to be a traitor.
Also by Lauren Del Fabbro
Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.
All 100 articles by Lauren Del Fabbro →

Topics

Hollywood Instagram Las Vegas Mattel

Subjects

Bob PERSON · 5× Mackie PERSON · 5× Cher PERSON · 4× Bob Mackie PERSON · 3× Pink PERSON · 2× Beyonce PERSON · 1× Dolly Parton PERSON · 1× Madonna PERSON · 1× Ross PERSON · 1× Sultan Of Sequins PERSON · 1×

Narrative

With Cher, he created designs for The Sonny And Cher show, and dressed her in black stretch pants, a bejewelled loincloth, knee-high boots, a black chain-link top, and a huge feathered mohawk headdress that was one and a half times taller than her head for the 1986 Oscars.
framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-14
🔮 “His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”
2026-09-14 · Evening Standard
Bob Mackie, costume designer for Cher and Diana Ross, dies aged 87 · assertive framing

Claims (24 extracted, 0 hedged)

The statement read: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr Bob Mackie passed away today. asserted
Mackie → read → news
“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. asserted
he → live → dream
“His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.” asserted
genius → live → world
In a post on X Cher said: “My dear Bob has gone up to heaven, knowing him he’s bringing sequins, beads and his sketch pad. asserted
he → say → sequins
“Good night sweet prince.” Ross was also among those paying tribute, posting a picture on Instagram with Mackie wearing a purple dress, and writing: “So, so sorry to hear this news.” asserted
Mackie → pay → news
Mackie, who was given the nicknames “Sultan Of Sequins”, “Rajah Of Rhinestones” and “Guru Of Glitter” for his imaginative designs, also dressed stars such as Dolly Parton, Beyonce, Madonna, Pink, Miley Cyrus, Tina Turner, Sir Elton John and Sabrina Carpenter. asserted
who → give → Parton
Sir Elton said in a post on Instagram accompanied by a picture of Mackie taking his measurements: “I’m so sad to hear of @bobmackie’s passing. asserted
I → say → passing
“Every time I put something on that Bob made, I felt very, very special. asserted
I → put → that
His costumes were works of art, and he will go down as one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood. asserted
he → go → Hollywood
“Bob had extraordinary vision, and the workmanship was unreal. asserted
workmanship → have → vision
I don’t think I ever wore a Bob Mackie outfit and had anything fall off – not a sequin or a rhinestone or anything. asserted
anything → think → outfit
Read More “His clothes were made so beautifully. asserted
clothes → read → More
He loved glamour like I love glamour, but more than anything, we shared the same sense of humour and had so much fun together. asserted
we → love → fun
“In a sea of ego, he seemed to have none. asserted
he → seem → none
One of the most courteous, incredible people I ever had the pleasure of working with. asserted
I → have → pleasure
Carpenter added in a post on her Instagram story: “Terribly devastated, I feel so lucky to have met Bob. asserted
I → add → Bob
“His one of a kind creations have inspired and brought so much happiness and confidence to my world, and they will continue to always. asserted
they → inspire → world
Pink posted: “Gutted to learn that one of my heroes has passed on. asserted
one → post → heroes
I was so lucky to be dressed by him for so long. asserted
I → dress → him
He was loving, wickedly funny and an absolute genius. asserted
He → love → ?
He will be dearly missed and my heart goes out to Joe, and his entire family and all of his loved ones. asserted
heart → miss → ones
With Cher, he created designs for The Sonny And Cher show, and dressed her in black stretch pants, a bejewelled loincloth, knee-high boots, a black chain-link top, and a huge feathered mohawk headdress that was one and a half times taller than her head for the 1986 Oscars. asserted
that → create → Oscars
He also designed outfits for a number of Cher tours, The Cher Show in 2019, and for her Las Vegas residency from 2008 to 2011. asserted
He → design → 2011
In the late 1980s, Mackie was approached by Mattel to design clothes for Barbie dolls, with his first limited edition doll, which had a gold outfit with a sequined skirt, feather boa, and long ponytail, being released in 1990. asserted
which → approach → 1990
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