Fashion

A look in the closet: How Michael Jackson’s wardrobe revealed what the plastic surgery didn’t

By kenya.hunt, on June 29, 2009

1979: Michael establishes his white sock/black shoe combo during his final stage with the Jackson Five.

Ever since I first heard the news about Michael Jackson’s death last week during a business trip in Portugal, I’ve been obsessively following the news surrounding it online and in the newspapers. Like most ’80s babies, I had strong, mixed emotions about it.

As tragic as his life was, his music conjured up vivid childhood memories for me. I was obsessed with “Thriller” and distinctly remember secretly trying to will my mom into giving me a Jheri curl (thank goodness she never did) rather than styling my hair in the usual ponytails for school. On top of that, my very first story for my first magazine job (at Jane), involved my tracking down Michael’s Thriller co-star Ola Ray for a “where are they now?” kind of article.

It’s interesting for me, as an American, to see how his passing has resonated around the world. His music was playing in every single taxi, store and restaurant I walked into in Lisbon. All of the international newspapers offered to me on my flight back featured him on the cover, with four, six and eight page spreads devoted to his life and legacy. Most of them focused on his ever-changing face, with think pieces examining how his plastic surgery reflected inner conflict about his race and sexuality among other issues.

But few have really looked at the way his personal style evolved, which is odd considering the major influence he’s had on this year’s trends thanks to Balmain. In a recent interview with the AOL blog Stylelist, Phillip Bloch, who dressed Michael for an Ebony magazine cover shoot (which turned out to be his last photo shoot ever) noted that Michael was not very knowledgeable of the high fashion world. He asked Phillip if the famous British designer Paul Smith was American and if the legendary Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto was Italian.

The fact that Michael wasn’t looped in to the high fashion world says even more about his trend setting as an artist. Whereas his face may have reflected an uncertainty about his racial and sexual identity, his distinct, sartorial trademarks (the white glove, glittery socks, bow tie and red leather jacket for instance), which began to emerge very early on in his career, displayed a certainty of self as a performer. And rather than constantly re-invent his wardrobe, the way he did with his face, he instead stuck with a formula and perfected it, adding on bombastic pieces that mirrored his growing superstardom. There was the color palette: red, black, white, gold and silver. And then the building blocks: the loafers, cowboy boots, regal military jackets, boxing championship style belts, space-age metallic tops, moon boots, and showy suits. It was over the top in many ways, yes. It was also very telling, revealing a self-loving side of himself that the plastic surgery eventually overshadowed. Off stage, he may have been an emotionally disturbed and conflicted man (I still cringe at the footage of baby Blanket dangling over that balcony). But on stage, he was the king of pop.

(above, left) 1979 – Michael reveals a new ‘do and a penchant for bow ties and sequins

(above, right) 1983 – The singer’s red leather, zippered jacket becomes the It item of the ’80s.

(above) 1988 – Jackson rocks a boxing championship style belt that reflects his winning sales on his “Bad” tour.

(above) 2001 – Revisiting an iconic look for his 30th anniversary show.

Share and Enjoy:

Adriana

June 29th, 2009 at 8:06 pm · Reply

interesting way to look at MJ’s life. Thanks!

RIP MJ. Forever in our hearts: http://tinyurl.com/fanreactionpics

Kiss89

June 30th, 2009 at 2:42 pm · Reply

Love the sequin top!!

AJB

July 1st, 2009 at 5:58 pm · Reply

Love this!

malcolm v

July 1st, 2009 at 8:08 pm · Reply

i am currently searching hi and low for a men’s sequined cardigan. also, I’m doing red skinny jeans with tube socks and penny loafers. please get into it! seriously i have a feeling many desingers will be putting MJ influences into their next collections.

Anonymous

July 1st, 2009 at 11:41 pm · Reply

Seeing these photos makes me so sad. I feel very sad about his death and never thought a musician passing could affect me this way. It’s too horrible. It would be a nice tribute to see his influence on the runways.

alex

July 8th, 2009 at 9:09 pm · Reply

I think you are spot on about his style… I also think he was one of a talented few, like elton john and liberace.. who could pull off the image and make it work… i’m so sad to see the world become as obsessed with his plastic surgeries to the point of letting it obscure his work as a genious in song, dance and choreography. As well as his work as a humanitarian. Sad he was a talented, kind and gracious man… yes he was troubled… but the last few years of his life with the press in a feeding frenzy to hang this man… well… they finally got their blood as witnessed by the last weeks worth of media coverage… i hope they are kinder to him in death than they have ever been to him in life.

nan

July 8th, 2009 at 9:24 pm · Reply

i like this piece.

M.J's #1 Fan

July 9th, 2009 at 6:34 am · Reply

I LOVE MICHAEL JACKSON. His style Is AWESOME.
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Lemang

July 11th, 2009 at 4:48 am · Reply

every time i read that MJ was conflicted about his race or the colour of his skin, i realise one thing that undercuts most american bloggers, writers, journalists and reporters, that there is a lack of misunderstanding considering his skin condition, if we have really seen people with vitiligo, especially people of either black descent or indian descent, we will understand why he was the colour that he was; if he had not treated his skin disorder, then, we will not have bought his records, so please do your research before we conclude that he had issues with his race. i personally dont know him but i know what vitiligo is, i don’t have the disease, but i know a few people with and let me tell you, it is not a sight to behold…and plastic surgery is a trend in america.

Sher

July 16th, 2009 at 6:06 am · Reply

Leave the dead alone. Let’s leave him alone. See with your hearts.

Emily

July 22nd, 2009 at 1:18 pm · Reply

Stop gruelling him for showing Blanket to the public. The fans asked to see the children. So he showed the children, thinking he was doing a nice thing. And Blanket was only hanging for half a second. He later admitted it was a silly thing to do but he just wanted to do something for the fans. Geez…. NO ONE in this world is perfect.

elvis

July 25th, 2009 at 4:16 am · Reply

a big artist, lives forever

July 25th, 2009 at 4:28 am · Reply

I agree, I never thought I could be so wrecked over the death of someone I never even got to see in person…but that’s how great he was…one of a kind. Hope God and the Angels hold him dearly forever…he was a great soul.
From a fan in a Caribbean island he never got to…

Tove Hermanson

July 30th, 2009 at 11:56 pm · Reply

Right on about MJ’s consistency! He knew what he liked, what he rocked, and he wore a continuous stream of variations on his favorite sartorial themes. I was intrigued by MJ’s personal style and wrote about these themes and who/what inspired them too (see http://threadforthought.net/2009/07/08/who-inspired-michael-jacksons-fashion/).

deb

September 20th, 2009 at 8:29 pm · Reply

Ive been following him since day one and Its been almost three mths since he passed and Im still grieving.I love him so.Never can say goodbye…..

Sherry

September 20th, 2009 at 8:30 pm · Reply

What are yall wearing to the THIS IS IT movie? A glittery glove or Michael pants?

Jaimie

September 21st, 2009 at 3:34 pm · Reply

I love Michael Joseph Jackson.
I didn’t like some of his dicisions but he was the greatest most talented person to ever walk the Earth. No offense to everyone else.
I LOVE YOU MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON!

Monica

September 25th, 2009 at 2:02 am · Reply

I was born right after Bad was released and I was lucky enough to be exposed to Michael Jackson’s music from the first day of my life. I instantly fell in love with him (according to my mom) and I’ve been his biggest fan ever since. I miss him very much but I know I’m lucky to have grown up with his music.