10/13/2026
Welcome to The Camac Street Reader: a series where we celebrate the art, history, and culture that our community is built on.
Bob Mackie started in 1961 as a young sketch artist at Paramount Studios, working under the famous costume designer Edith Head. By 1963 he was assisting Ray Aghayan, his partner, on The Judy Garland Show. His career took off with Carol Burnett and Sonny & Cher, and the “curtain rod dress” became television legend.
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Beaded, feathered, and gloriously extra, his designs dressed Cher, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Bette Midler, and Madonna. He won a Tony, nine Emmys, and the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bob passed away last month, on September 14th, at 87. Every queen, diva, and dreamer owes him a little sparkle. We will never forget him. ✨