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Bob Mackie, the fashion and costume designer whose bold Hollywood creations helped define glamour in the 1970s, died Monday at the age of 87. Mackie became famous for creating some of the most memorable looks for stars including Cher, Marilyn Monroe and Carol Burnett. His publicist said he died of pneumonia in Palm Springs, California. “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,” a statement posted on his social media accounts said. Known as the “Designer to the Stars,” Mackie won nine Emmy Awards and a Tony Award and received three Oscar nominations. One of his Oscar-nominated works was the sheer batwing gown worn by Barbra Streisand in the film “Funny Lady.” He was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2002. Mackie designed gowns for Madonna, Streisand, Sharon Stone, Diana Ross and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, as well as concert costumes for Pink. He also designed Marilyn Monroe’s famous sheer, beaded gown for her breathy performance of “Happy Birthday” at a 1962 fundraiser for President John F. Kennedy and the Democratic National Committee. His influence lives on Mackie’s impact on fashion can still be seen in the work of designers and celebrities today. His creations have been worn by Anya Taylor-Joy, Miley Cyrus, Zendaya, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid. Zendaya wore a Mackie gown while honoring Cher at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Taylor Swift also used Mackie’s original designs as inspiration for her showgirl look on the cover of her 2025 album “The Life of a Showgirl.” Sequins, rhinestones and glitter were among Mackie’s favorite design elements, earning him nicknames such as the “Sultan of Sequins” and “Guru of Glitter.” But his design philosophy was simple. “You don’t try to change anybody, you just try to make them look better than ever,” he told The Associated Press in 2018. Tributes poured in following his death. Actor Kristin Chenoweth called him a “legend,” while designer Isaac Mizrahi wrote that he was “heartbroken.” Actor Alyssa Milano described him as “one of the best that ever was.” A career spanning Hollywood and Broadway Mackie also had a successful career on Broadway. He designed costumes for “On the Town” in 1971 and “Moon Over Buffalo” in 1995. His other Broadway projects included “Debbie” in 1976, “Minnelli on Minnelli” in 1999 and “The Cher Show,” for which he won his Tony Award. Born and raised in Southern California, Mackie developed a love for Hollywood glamour as a child after watching Technicolor musicals. He sketched elaborate outfits for his mother and sister and became involved in costume and set design for school productions. He studied advertising and illustration at Pasadena City College before studying costume design at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. Mackie later worked for legendary costume designer Edith Head before landing a job on “The Carol Burnett Show.” Close partnership with Cher and Burnett Mackie and Burnett became close friends and collaborators. He created costumes for some of her most memorable characters, including Nora Desmond, Eunice and her parody of Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With the Wind,” called Starlet O’Hara. For Starlet O’Hara, Burnett wore the famous green curtain dress still attached to its curtain rods. The costume is now part of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. “I love doing funny things,” Mackie told AP in 1999. “One week I’d have to make Carol an unattractive postal worker, and who knows what I’d have to do the next.” Mackie later worked on “The Sonny and Cher Show” after Cher appeared as a guest on Burnett’s program and became fond of his designs. He said Cher’s Laverne character, dressed in a leopard-print jumpsuit with dangling earrings, was one of his favorites. Their partnership later took a more daring direction when Cher moved into movies and began attending the Academy Awards. Mackie created the beaded, midriff-baring outfits that became a signature of her red-carpet appearances. At the 1974 Met Gala, Cher wore one of Mackie’s most famous creations — a sheer, beaded gown with feathered sleeves and a feathered skirt. The dress and Cher appeared on the cover of Time magazine. Other memorable looks included a beaded spiderweb outfit with a matching Mohawk in 1986 and a revealing gown she wore after winning the best actress Oscar in 1988. “The outfits are sometimes mistaken for fashion, but they’re costumes like for a character in a play,” Mackie told AP in 1999. “I want people to have fun. I want people to say ‘Wasn’t that interesting?’ or ‘Wasn’t that wild?’” Mixed views on modern fashion Mackie also found some commercial success. He launched a ready-to-wear clothing line in 1982 that later appeared at New York Fashion Week and became an early partner of QVC. Although revealing dresses became increasingly popular, Mackie later expressed frustration with what he saw as repetitive and overly exposed red-carpet fashion. “You watch awards shows and say, ‘Oh, cover up! Put it away! Honey, I don’t need to see all of that!’” he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024. He also criticized the similar looks worn by celebrities at the Met Gala, saying he was bored by the lack of originality. Mackie also designed dozens of Barbie dolls for Mattel, featuring different faces, body types and stories. He is credited with being the first designer to create an entire Barbie doll, including a Lady Dracula Cher doll with small fangs and a coffin-shaped box. The documentary “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion” premiered in 2024. One of his dresses worn by Cher in 1975 was sold at auction that year for $101,600, about 25 times its original estimate. Mackie was married to showgirl Lulu Porter from 1960 to 1963. Their son, makeup artist Robert Gordon Mackie Jr., died of AIDS at age 35. Mackie’s longtime partner, costume designer Ray Aghayan, died in 2011. Mackie once summed up his approach to design by saying practicality was never his priority: “It’s all about looking good and living your fantasies.” In 2017, at age 71, Cher again attracted attention at the Billboard Music Awards wearing two outfits designed by Mackie. Mackie, however, remained critical of what he considered an increasingly predictable fashion industry. “Nothing is very interesting anymore,” he told Vogue in 2017. “You just keep seeing the same thing over and over again and there are no surprises. Unfortunately, you don’t see much fashion anymore.”

Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway is set to come alive Monday with steel drums, colorful floats draped in flags and the aroma of jerk chicken as hundreds of thousands of people gather for the West Indian Day Parade, one of the largest celebrations of Caribbean culture in the United States. For Haitians, however, this year’s parade carries a more serious tone. Federal immigration enforcement has increased pressure on Caribbean and other Black immigrant communities over the past year, while Haitians have lost a major immigration protection known as temporary protected status, or TPS. The program had allowed hundreds of thousands of Haitians to remain legally in the US. Organizers say the parade is therefore both a celebration of Haitian pride and a welcome moment of joy during a difficult year. “There’s a somber cloud over it with everything that has happened from last year to this year with TPS,” said Natalie Lafontant, a Brooklyn native who organizes Lespri Ayiti, or “Spirit of Haiti,” the largest Haitian marching community, known as a “mas,” in Monday’s parade. She pointed to conditions at detention centers and the deportation of Haitians who may have no reliable means of supporting themselves after returning home. Still, Lafontant said hardship has never stopped Caribbean people, particularly Haitians, from expressing themselves through culture. She said Haitians rely on music, dance and art to keep moving forward despite difficult circumstances. Keeping the parade alive amid immigration pressuresIn June, the US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Mullin v. Doe that federal courts could not review the Trump administration’s decision to end TPS for Haitian and Syrian immigrants. The ruling cleared the way for about 350,000 Haitians to lose the protection. A federal judge finalized the order in early August, while work permits linked to Haitian TPS expired on July 27. Lafontant’s Lespri Ayiti group, which includes about 180 artists, designers, musicians and community members, is taking part in the parade for the second consecutive year. The group faced difficulties securing sponsors for its float this year. Organizing the parade is expensive, she said, with costs including insurance, costumes, designers and arrangements for participants. Despite the financial burden, the group continues because of its love for Haiti. Haitians have deep roots in New YorkLafontant is part of a Haitian community of about 163,000 people in the New York metropolitan area, according to the Migration Policy Institute. It is the second-largest Haitian population in the US after the Miami metropolitan area. Many Haitian immigrants settled in Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Flatbush, East Flatbush and Crown Heights. Haitian migration to New York grew in waves beginning during the dictatorship of Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. Political repression and economic collapse pushed many Haitians to leave the country during the 1970s and 1980s. The migration continued after Duvalier was ousted in 1986. Haiti’s tradition of resistance goes back even further to the Haitian Revolution, when enslaved and free Black people defeated French colonial rule in what is widely considered the only successful slave revolt in modern history. The struggle culminated in the 1803 Battle of Vertières and paved the way for Haiti’s independence in 1804. That history remains an important source of pride for Haitians around the world, including generations who have established new lives outside the country. Edwina Paul, founder of SPM, or “Fanm Se Poto Mitan,” meaning “Women Are the Pillar of Society,” left Haiti in 1993 and moved with her husband to Brooklyn’s Canarsie neighborhood. Paul’s coalition of Haitian women leaders and organizers will also participate in Monday’s parade. She said insecurity and instability in Haiti have been major reasons people leave the country. “It's not safe there. Coming here is like an umbrella for us to be safe from that,” she said, referring to Haitians fleeing gang violence and instability. She stressed that Haitian migrants come to the US seeking work, education and a safer life, not to commit crimes. Haitian music and fashion take center stageSPM is highlighting Haitian resilience through its parade costumes this year. Fashion designer Clara Poteau, a Fashion Institute of Technology alumna, created royal blue emperor robes inspired by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first leader of independent Haiti. Six designers and one painter spent a month creating and hand-painting costumes celebrating Haitian achievements. Their work continued through the weekend before the parade. The costumes include dresses decorated with miniature Haitian flags and skirts featuring national football players Duckens Nazon and Emmanuel Sanon, who hold Haiti’s international scoring records with 44 and 47 goals, respectively. An orange T-shirt called the “Freedom” tee features the flags of countries whose independence Haitian revolutionary leaders supported with shelter, money, weapons and troops. The countries include Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Panama, Mexico and Greece. Music will also play a major role in the Haitian “mas.” Jesus Luc, a Harlem native and Lespri Ayiti’s band manager, organized a lineup featuring Raboday, a popular contemporary Haitian and Caribbean music style, along with Kompa, Haiti’s signature dance music. DJ Comix of Team Madada will headline the musical lineup. Luc described the group as one of the most popular in Haiti and said its sound represents a new generation of Haitian youth culture. “It’s electrifying. It’s music that will touch your soul,” Luc said, adding that the combination of music and costumes would bring the spirit and heart of the Haitian people to the parade.

Actor Zendaya has launched the promotional tour for Christopher Nolan's upcoming film "The Odyssey", turning heads with a look inspired by her character in the movie. Widely regarded as one of Hollywood's leading fashion figures, the Emmy Award-winning actress is known for "method dressing" by choosing outfits that reflect the roles she plays. She appears to be continuing that trend for The Odyssey. For her first appearance promoting the film, Zendaya wore a flowing outfit from the Khaite Resort 2027 collection. The look featured an ivory draped blouse with a deep V-neckline, paired with a matching semi-sheer A-line midi skirt. A black leather cord belt with gold accents highlighted the waist. Zendaya plays Athena in the film, a character traditionally depicted in flowing white garments. Fashion observers said her outfit appeared to be a modern tribute to the Greek goddess's signature style. She completed the look with gold dangling earrings, her trademark pixie bob hairstyle and metallic python-print strappy sandals by Christian Louboutin, replacing her usual So Kate pumps. Her understated makeup kept the focus on the outfit's elegant silhouette. The appearance marks the beginning of what is expected to be a closely watched promotional tour for The Odyssey, with Zendaya once again blending fashion with her on-screen role. Earlier this year, Zendaya also drew attention for her bridal-inspired looks while promoting The Drama. Reports say she recently married longtime partner and fellow actor Tom Holland. She also earned praise for a series of character-inspired fashion choices during the promotional campaign for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. With The Odyssey, Zendaya appears to be entering a new goddess-inspired fashion phase that is already attracting attention.

Actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas made a stylish appearance at Cannes Lions 2026, turning heads in a sophisticated designer outfit while sharing her views on storytelling and filmmaking at the global creativity festival. The actor attended the five-day international event, which celebrates achievements in creativity, marketing and entertainment, and took part in a discussion at the Debussy Theatre on storytelling, originality and maintaining a creative vision. For the occasion, Chopra wore a colour-block halter-neck maxi dress by designer Silvia Tcherassi. The outfit, crafted from Italian fabric and featuring a sleek column silhouette, was valued at around Rs 1.8 lakh. She paired the dress with leather thong sandals and kept her overall look understated yet elegant. Her accessories included a pink necklace and a Rolex Day-Date watch, while her makeup featured neutral brown tones and a matte finish. During the session, Chopra spoke about how she approaches storytelling and selecting film projects. “I think you follow your gut when it comes to storytelling. I try not to follow trends, because that's really hard. A trend is interesting right now, it might not be interesting next week. It takes a year for a movie to be made, and by the time next year comes around, will audiences still be interested?” she said. The actor emphasised that emotional impact matters more than following market trends. “So, I try not to think through trends, I try to think through how does this make someone feel? Because my favourite movies, and you can answer as well, but are the ones that you talk about later, you kind of revisit again. It makes you feel something, when you're leaving the movie theatre, you kind of have something to say about it. So I try to think about when I read scripts for films that I want to make, is how does it make me feel if I watch this movie?” she added. Chopra, who stars in the series Citadel, said she believes the most memorable films are those that leave a lasting emotional impression and continue to spark conversation long after audiences have watched them. Source: NDTV

Designers Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons showcased a collection inspired by everyday wardrobe essentials during Milan Fashion Week, presenting a modern interpretation of jeans-based fashion through premium leather and innovative technical materials. For the Spring/Summer season, Prada introduced a streamlined silhouette featuring cropped jackets and slim-cut five-pocket trousers, complemented by classic blazers and leather outerwear. The designers said their goal was to create clothing that resonates with ordinary people rather than catering solely to the fashion elite. Ahead of the show, Simons compared the collection to a simple plate of pasta pomodoro, suggesting that fashion, like food, sometimes benefits from returning to timeless basics. Although denim served as the collection’s inspiration, Prada revealed she has never worn jeans, while Simons said he only recently resumed wearing them after decades of favoring wool trousers. Nevertheless, the classic five-pocket pant became the foundation of the new Prada look. Most outfits were crafted from soft leather in muted shades such as ivory, gray, burgundy, and turquoise, accompanied by energetic rock music on the runway. Some designs featured lightweight, semi-transparent technical fabrics suited to the recent European heatwave, while only a small number of looks incorporated actual denim. The collection also included cropped shirts, knitted vests with geometric motifs, and silk scarves tied around the waist for contrast. Accessories were kept minimal, with colorful waist pouches and bold belts serving as the primary additions. Distinctive pointed shoes fastened with multiple Velcro straps completed the ensembles. Prada emphasized the importance of creating versatile, functional clothing and avoiding excessive or unnecessary design elements. Simons echoed that sentiment, noting that fashion often draws its strongest inspiration from real-life street style rather than luxury runways. Describing the collection, Simons highlighted its clean, vertical lines and understated elegance, saying it reflected a sense of calm, optimism, and renewal while challenging conventional ideas of luxury fashion. The presentation itself mirrored the collection’s minimalist philosophy. Models walked through a simple showroom furnished with transparent benches, ensuring every guest had an unobstructed view. Among the notable attendees were Anthony Edwards, Troye Sivan, ENHYPEN, and Louis Partridge. Outside the venue, enthusiastic fans braved the summer heat to catch a glimpse of the stars.   

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and actor Colman Domingo led a celebrity-filled front row at a menswear show by the Ralph Lauren during Milan Fashion Week on Friday evening. The American fashion house presented its latest menswear collection at its Milan palazzo for the second consecutive season, attracting a host of stars, including Henry Golding, Tom Hiddleston and Scott Eastwood. Outside the venue, fans gathered despite soaring temperatures to catch a glimpse of the celebrities. Thai actor Nichakoon Khajornborirak and South Korean actor Kim Woo-bin greeted the crowd, posing for photographs and waving to admirers. The collection showcased a wide range of styles, from formal pinstripe suits to more relaxed festival-inspired outfits. Domingo described the show as having a strong 1920s influence, blending classic and contemporary elements. The luxury Purple Label featured tailored suits that evolved into eveningwear, including tuxedo shirts and bow ties paired with distressed patchwork denim coats. Accessories included berets, aviator glasses and pocket-watch chains. The more casual Polo collection highlighted colourful madras plaids, layered knitwear, rugby shirts and lightweight outerwear. Several looks reflected traditional preppy fashion, combining bright colours and featuring the iconic Polo Bear motif dressed in runway-inspired outfits. "I saw beautiful cravats and vests mixed in with workwear, all the things I love about Ralph," Domingo said after the show, praising the collection's ability to blend urban and upscale influences. Formal and casual styles gradually merged throughout the presentation, while the runway also featured an age- and race-inclusive cast. Accessories played a key role in the collection, with silk scarves, colourful bandanas and ties repurposed as belts and bags, reflecting the growing trend toward reusability and upcycling. Footwear ranged from leather fisherman sandals and velvet slippers to espadrilles and weather-resistant duck boots, while handbags included canvas totes and luxury snakeskin portfolios. Eastwood said he was particularly drawn to one of the snakeskin bags and described Ralph Lauren as "a classy brand that's timeless." Golding, meanwhile, said the fashion house had supported him throughout his career and described the Purple Label as his preferred choice for sophisticated attire.

Winning the Miss Universe Kerala 2026 title may have brought her recognition, but for 19-year-old law student Kaziah Liz Mejo, her greatest achievement is overcoming years of self-doubt and insecurity. Speaking to The New Indian Express, Kaziah said she struggled with confidence for years and was unhappy with many aspects of herself. “For years, I didn't have a single unfiltered picture of myself. I was insecure about my looks, my personality and almost everything else,” she said. The beauty queen said building confidence was a gradual process that involved working on her communication skills, personality, appearance and overall self-development. According to her, one idea played a major role in changing her mindset: “fake it till you make it.” “The biggest change came when I started intentionally working on myself. I convinced myself that I was the most confident person in the room and walked onto stages with that belief. At first, others believed it, and eventually I believed it too,” she said. Kaziah, who hails from Mavelikkara in India's Kerala state, said her interest in beauty pageants began after watching Harnaaz Sandhu win the Miss Universe crown in 2021. “That was the first Miss Universe competition I watched. I didn’t know much about pageants at the time, but seeing India win after so many years inspired me,” she said. Harnaaz Sandhu ended India’s 21-year wait for the Miss Universe title in 2021. Before her, India’s previous winners were Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta. Responding to the perception that beauty pageants focus only on physical appearance, Kaziah said the experience offers valuable life lessons. “Pageantry is often misunderstood. It is not only about beauty. Whether you win or lose, it helps you discover yourself, find your voice and build confidence. It has taught me resilience, discipline and personal growth,” she said. Kaziah is now preparing to compete in the Miss Universe India competition, hoping to take the next step in her pageant journey.

Celebrated Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra has reached a new milestone in his career with his upcoming debut at Paris Haute Couture Week on July 8, 2026, marking a significant step in showcasing Indian textiles and craftsmanship on the global stage. The designer announced the development on Instagram, with a press release confirming that this will be the first official appearance of the Manish Malhotra brand on the prestigious Paris couture calendar. The showcase will feature the house’s artistry, innovation and glamour, highlighting Indian couture on an international platform. At the Haute Couture Week, designers are set to present their fall/winter 2026–27 collections, bringing together leading names from global fashion. Over the years, Malhotra has been credited with redefining Bollywood costume design and elevating Indian craftsmanship into a global luxury language. His creations are widely known for intricate detailing and traditional techniques such as zardozi and chikankari. From red carpets to weddings, his designs have become a preferred choice among celebrities for their craftsmanship and exclusivity. The designer previously showcased Indian heritage on global platforms, including the Met Gala 2025 themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” where he presented a black sherwani with a cape featuring glass beadwork and gilded motifs. For his 2026 Met Gala appearance, he created a design inspired by Mumbai, describing it as a tribute to the city that shaped his artistic journey. The outfit reportedly took over 960 hours to complete and involved more than 50 artisans across Mumbai and Delhi. Fashion observers say anticipation is high for his Paris debut, which is expected to further highlight Indian design on the global couture stage. #From NDTV

A growing number of young people in China are embracing traditional culture by dressing up as ancient emperors, empresses and princesses while visiting Beijing’s historic landmarks, creating a booming business for costume and makeup studios around the Forbidden City. Among those benefiting from the trend is makeup artist Chen Jiao, whose job is to transform visitors into figures from imperial China. She is one of hundreds of stylists working near the Forbidden City, the former home of Chinese emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Every day, visitors arrive at studios to wear elaborate traditional outfits decorated with phoenix patterns and accessorized with jade, pearls and other ornaments inspired by royal fashion. Their makeup is carefully applied and their hairstyles recreated to match the period. The experience typically costs around 300 yuan (about $45), although premium packages can cost more than 1,000 yuan ($150). After getting dressed, many visitors head to the walls, gates and moat surrounding the Forbidden City to take photos and videos for social media. While some fully embrace the historical look, others mix traditional costumes with modern accessories such as sneakers, sunglasses and bubble tea. Chen said demand is especially high during public holidays and weekends. She recently started work at 6 a.m. and styled around 24 customers in a single day. "There is hardly an off-season," she said, noting that business only slows briefly when the Forbidden City is closed. The trend reflects a broader interest among Chinese youth in immersive cultural experiences and traditional clothing inspired by the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Ming dynasty ruled China for more than 270 years and built the Forbidden City, while the Qing dynasty, China's last imperial dynasty, ended in 1912, bringing more than 2,000 years of imperial rule to a close. Many tourists say wearing period costumes enhances their experience at historical sites. Chen Xiao, a university student from Shandong province, travelled overnight to Beijing during the recent Qingming holiday and chose to wear a pink outfit associated with a Qing dynasty princess. "I feel that when you visit a historical place, it's nice to wear something that matches the setting," she said. The popularity of the trend has fueled rapid growth in the costume-styling industry. Local media reports that a building housing Chen Jiao’s studio had only a few such businesses in 2020, but now hosts more than 100. Cai Zehong, founder of Hanfu Beijing, said many young people are becoming interested in traditional Chinese clothing as they learn more about the country's cultural heritage. He said historical costume dramas, which have long been popular in China, have also helped drive interest in traditional fashion. Chen Xiao acknowledged that television dramas influenced her interest. "I've watched many historical dramas, and they've definitely shaped my interest. Recently, I've become particularly fascinated by Qing dynasty history," she said. Another visitor, Liu Ruitong from Hebei province, selected a black Ming-style outfit for her photoshoot. She said she liked the costume's elegant appearance and felt its dark color complemented both the Forbidden City and traditional Chinese scenery.

Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai made a striking appearance at the closing ceremony of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, wearing an elegant all-white outfit designed by Chinese designer Chene Chan. The festival, which ran from May 12 to May 23, concluded after nearly two weeks of film screenings, celebrity appearances and red-carpet events. Aishwarya’s outfit featured a tailored white pantsuit with embellished lapels, lace-detailed trousers and a feather boa draped over her shoulders, creating a dramatic yet refined look. The ensemble also included a white asymmetrical top with lace accents that complemented the detailing on the trousers.