Elton John mourns Bob Mackie: 'His costumes were works of art'
Synopsis
Sir Elton John's Instagram tribute to the late Bob Mackie offers a rare window into one of entertainment's most storied creative partnerships — the rock legend in rhinestones and the man who made them stay on. Mackie, who died aged 87, dressed virtually every major female star of the last 50 years and turned celebrity fashion into a form of theatre. His passing closes a definitive chapter in Hollywood glamour.
Key Takeaways
Bob Mackie passed away on Monday at age 87 from pneumonia.
Sir Elton John paid tribute on Instagram , calling Mackie's costumes 'works of art' and 'one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood.' Mackie designed Elton John's iconic crystal-covered Dodgers uniform worn at the 1975 stadium concerts.
He was best known for his long collaboration with Cher , and also dressed Tina Turner , Barbra Streisand , Diana Ross , Liza Minnelli , and Miley Cyrus .
Mackie won multiple Emmy Awards and received an Academy Award nomination over his career.
Sir Elton John has paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary costume designer Bob Mackie, calling him 'one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood' following Mackie's death at the age of 87. Mackie passed away on Monday from pneumonia, leaving behind a half-century of transformative work in celebrity fashion, television, film, and Broadway.
Elton John's Personal Tribute
In a lengthy note shared on Instagram, Elton John reflected on the profound personal connection he shared with Mackie. 'I'm so sad to hear of @bobmackie's passing. Every time I put something on that Bob made, I felt very, very special. His costumes were works of art, and he will go down as one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood,' he wrote.
The singer-songwriter, who famously wore Mackie's crystal-covered Dodgers uniform during his landmark 1975 stadium gigs, added: 'Bob had extraordinary vision and the workmanship was unreal. I don't think I ever wore a Bob Mackie outfit and had anything fall off, not a sequin or a rhinestone or anything. His clothes were made so beautifully.'
Elton John also spoke to their shared sensibility: 'He loved glamour like I love glamour, but more than anything, we shared the same sense of humour and had so much fun together. In a sea of ego, he seemed to have none. One of the most courteous, incredible people I ever had the pleasure of working with.'
A Career That Defined Hollywood Glamour
Mackie was widely regarded as the 'designer to the stars,' best known for his decades-long collaboration with Cher, whose most daring red-carpet and stage looks he conceptualised. His clientele read like a roll call of Hollywood royalty — Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, and Miley Cyrus all wore his creations.
Beyond concert stages and award ceremonies, Mackie's designs spanned television, film, and Broadway, earning him multiple Emmy Awards and an Academy Award nomination. His work effectively transformed celebrity fashion into spectacle, helping define the visual language of entertainment for generations.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Mackie's death marks the end of an era in which a single designer could shape the image of an entire entertainment industry. His approach — maximalist, technically precise, and suffused with wit — influenced not just fashion but the broader aesthetics of performance and pop culture. Notably, his collaborations spanned more than five decades, bridging the golden age of Hollywood variety television with the streaming era.
Tributes from across the entertainment world are expected to follow as the industry processes the loss of one of its most enduring creative voices.
Point of View
Telling you exactly who Cher or Elton John was before they uttered a word. What mainstream obituaries risk underselling is his technical rigour: Elton John's point about not losing a single sequin is not sentimentality, it is a statement about craft at industrial scale. Mackie operated in an era when a designer's reputation rested on surviving the punishing conditions of live television and stadium performance, not just a still photograph. That discipline is precisely what the current era of fashion spectacle, for all its social media reach, has struggled to replicate.
NationPress
15 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Bob Mackie and why is he famous?
Bob Mackie was an American costume designer widely known as the 'designer to the stars,' celebrated for his maximalist, technically precise creations worn by celebrities including Cher, Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, and Elton John. He won multiple Emmy Awards, received an Academy Award nomination, and shaped the visual language of Hollywood entertainment for over five decades.
How did Bob Mackie die?
Bob Mackie passed away on Monday at the age of 87 from pneumonia. No further details about the circumstances of his death have been disclosed publicly.
What did Elton John say about Bob Mackie?
Sir Elton John wrote on Instagram that he was 'so sad' to hear of Mackie's passing, describing his costumes as 'works of art' and calling him 'one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood.' He also praised Mackie's extraordinary vision, unmatched workmanship, and personal warmth.
What is the most famous collaboration between Elton John and Bob Mackie?
One of the most iconic pieces Mackie created for Elton John was the crystal-covered Dodgers uniform the singer wore during his landmark stadium concerts in 1975. Elton John recalled that despite the elaborate embellishment, not a single sequin or rhinestone ever fell off — a testament to Mackie's craftsmanship.
Which other celebrities did Bob Mackie dress?
Mackie dressed an extensive roster of Hollywood and music royalty, including Cher — his most celebrated long-term collaborator — as well as Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, and Miley Cyrus. He also designed for television, film, and Broadway productions throughout his career.
