Michael Jackson: A Tribute to Fashion

I remember coming home after church and getting in trouble because I could barely get my Sunday Clothes off before I was moon-walking across carpet in white ruffled socks. I have had the opportunity to live in one of the greatest times for music, technology, fashion and transformation generally, so it is with numbness that I write about Michael Jackson in the past tense. Michael Jackson was a style maven – an icon in music and in fashion.

His 1969 appearance on the Ed Sullivan show gave a glimpse into the future of the icon’s unique style in a hot pink hat and purple vest over muted toned browns. In future appearances, Michael would be seen in similar outfits mixing patterns and vibrant colors.

Known as a child as a cute chubby cheek with a booming voice and later for the falsetto voice matched with provocative thrusts, moonwalks, and 20slick moves, “whoo-hoos,” and “hee- hee’s,” Jackson’s outfits were BAD and as fierce as his music.

Most legendary music greats have something about them that makes them unique – not just music talent, but a fashion sense that is associated with that talent. Hendrix had his tight jumpsuits and headband, Prince had knee high suede boots and ruffled shirts.
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, dressed as royals do.

The late seventies and early eighties saw Jackson in relaxed tuxedos, complete with bowtie. In more casual moments, Jackson would keep the bowtie and lose the jacket or throw it casually across his shoulder.

In the eighties, Michael Jackson was whipping it about in leather Member’s Only type jackets and the trademark sequined glove. THRILLER was one of the greatest selling albums ever, and possibly Jackson’s best work. His style transitioned to include cropped pants, white socks, and penny loafers. Jackson made the “nerdy” style his own, kept the bowtie, drew the tuxedo pants up a little further, and threw away the jacket. I remember the red leather coat that every little kid wanted for Christmas.

If you didn’t have the red leather coat, you at least had the glove. The glove was and always is classic, signature Michael Style. For more formal events, Jackson was caught in fringed military style jackets, which have now made there way into Balmain’s Fall Collection.

In the nineties, Jackson kept a curl, but a looser more ’s-type’ with slick sides, similar to the punkish style reappearing today. He kept the black cropped pants, white socks, and penny loafers, but loosened up the style a bit with button down shirts, opened to expose a clean white v-neck tee-shirt. Jackson sported cool fedoras that he would tip forward. When the millennium rolled around Jackson relaxed his hair, and had perhaps the most maintained coif I have ever seen, his long healthy tresses rivaling men and women alike.

I was watching CNN and all the tributes made to Michael Jackson and he casually pulled up the sleeves on his tuxedo. Funny, how trends turn. Again, we see tuxedo jackets deformalized with cropped sleeves or sleeves pushed towards the elbow. Jackson’s flamboyant style in both music and fashion has influenced many younger artists, notably: Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, and Usher Raymond. This definitive style conjures up pictures of studded leather, Balmain military jackets, and cropped colored leather motorcycle jackets.

Jackson’s death will no doubt have a comparable impact on the Fashion Industry as did his life. Repetto Loafers have already been flying off shelves. Expect more cropped pants and at least another season or two of bondage inspired attire all in tribute to a passionate man with an equally passionate style.

Chamele – AFi fashion journalist