Goldie Hawn pays tribute to ‘King of Sequins’ Bob Mackie after fashion legend’s death at 87
Goldie Hawn remembered Bob Mackie as an “angel” on Monday, September 14, after the costume designer, known as the King of Sequins, died at 87 in Palm Springs, California.
Hawn shared a throwback photo from her 1971 television special Pure Goldie on Instagram, showing her in one of Mackie’s feathered creations. She wrote that the designer “had the essence of an angel and the talent from God.”
“I will miss our friend who bedazzled us with his brilliance and made us all sparkle! Sweet prince of a man. We love you and will miss knowing you are walking on this earth,” she added.
Mackie and Hawn first worked together in 1969, when she appeared as one of twelve dancers on a television variety special he was dressing. Mackie later recalled that even surrounded by eleven other performers in identical costumes, “you couldn’t take your eyes off Goldie.”
Publicist confirms cause and location of death
Mackie’s publicist, Jenelle Hamilton, told outlets that Mackie died Monday morning in Palm Springs from pneumonia. A statement posted to his official Instagram account read, “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today.”
“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,” it continued.
The post added that his designs “will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”
Cher led a wave of tributes from longtime collaborators
Cher, perhaps Mackie’s most famous muse, wrote on X, “My dear Bob has gone up to heaven. Knowing him, he’s bringing Sequins, Beads, & his sketch pad. Good night sweet Prince.”
Mackie’s most talked-about designs came from his partnership with Cher, including the sheer, beaded gown with white feathers she wore to the 1974 Met Gala, an outfit that later landed on the cover of Time magazine.
He also created the black, bondage-inspired ensemble with a feathered Mohawk headdress Cher wore to the 1986 Oscars.
Other stars shared their own memories of the designer
Elton John called Mackie’s costumes “works of art” and said the two shared “the same sense of humour.”
“Every time I put something on that Bob made, I felt very, very special…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,” he said.
Sabrina Carpenter, who often wore Mackie’s sequined creations, posted several photos donning the designer’s outfits and wrote, “His one-of-a-kind creations have inspired and brought so much happiness and confidence to my world and they will continue to always x Mackie girl forever.”
Eleven seasons on The Carol Burnett Show built his reputation
Before designing for pop icons, Mackie spent eleven years, from 1967 to 1978, as the costume designer for The Carol Burnett Show, creating an estimated 17,000 costumes across the series’ run.
Carol Burnett wrote on Instagram, “sadness doesn’t come close to how I feel,” adding that he was unmatched among his peers because “there are fashion designers who don’t do costumes and there are costume designers who don’t do fashion. Bob did it all.”