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Fashion Orientation

Divya Manivannan

MFM/14/301 (Sem 1)

Masters In Fashion Management

Michael Jackson,

The Trendsetter & A Style Icon!

“Life ain’t so bad at all, if you live it off the wall”

Michael Jackson was more than a genius musician and fabulous dancer; he was a trendsetter and style icon. He set himself apart from the artistes of his time, taking risks and making bold sartorial choices that often paid off and were eventually followed by the rest of the world. And his style was so androgynous; it has inspired both, men and women. He became known by one single accessory: the glove. And back in the day, that infamous red jacket was worn by many an older brother during their break-dancing phases.

Michael Jackson, The style icon!

Fashion Forward – The Futuristic!

MJ would explode on stage in iridescent and metallic outfits that were futuristic to the

core. Fast forward to today, and you'll see iridescent and metallic colours having a big

draw in retail stores.

“My attitude is if fashion says it’s forbidden, I’m going to do it.”

During the Eighties and into the Nineties, Jackson, became as much a trendsetter for fashion as he was for music. There’s the red leather motorcycle jacket he rocked in the “Beat It” video; the white ankle socks, black fedora and black loafers he wore when he moonwalked (and that walk alone is almost as legendary as Neil Armstrong’s); the military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses he toured in during the “Thriller” era; the white V-neck T-shirt that he always eventually stripped down to onstage, and finally, there was that glove, first worn during a performance of “Billie Jean” during a television special in 1983.

Metallic… Metallic mayhem MJ would explode on stage in iridescent and metallic outfits that were futuristic to the core. Fast forward to today, and you’ll see iridescent and metallic colours having a big draw in retail stores.

Military Jackets….

MJ made a veritable uniform out of an array of military jackets at the height of his career in the mid-90s. The trend is religiously followed even today.

Aviators and wayfarers…… He almost always stepped out — in real life and in his cinematic videos — with a pair of aviators or wayfarer shades perched on his nose. Fashion historians give him credit for making these two styles of sunglasses popular with teenagers. Considering his massive teen following, it’s not a surprise.

Black and white classic shirt…..MJ knew the power of a classic white shirt over cropped black pants. Even AR Rahman channelled his black-and-white ensemble in the video for Vande Mataram.

Punk biker With his album Bad out in 1987, he went all bad in a black buckled jacket, studded belt, thick black eyeliner and skinny jeans — all bonafide men’s wear trends today.

Suit up, brightly colored blazer….. Jackson also pulled off minimalist and retro styles with elegance. Tuxedo suits, stark white socks, pegged pants and black shoes are signature Michael Jackson. From leather suits and cropped pants to fedora hats and skinny ties, hipster and metrosexual fashion today heavily borrows from Jackson's trademarks.

Punk biker….. With his album Bad out in 1987, he went all bad in a black buckled jacket, studded belt, thick black eyeliner and skinny jeans — all bonafide men's wear trends today.

Bold stripes…….. He burst onto the music 70s scene in fringed shirts, bell bottoms and platform shoes. He pulled off zebra stripes and psychedelic prints on stage. Come 2014, you can't walk down the street without spotting one of the latter two.

Sequinned glove……. The single white glittering glove is one of his crazy ‘look at me’ statements that has gone on to become a stage item with artistes like Usher, Beyonce and Lady Gaga.

Leather Pants…….which is never out of fashion. MJ style of adapting leather in pants with a lots of work is still a statement by many stage performers.

Black hat, satin pants, oversized red jacket, gold boots, knee pads, armband, chunky belts, straps, ties, patches, sunglasses – and then of course layers of make-up – all were adopted by MJ as distinctive style statements and became his inimitable signature through life and in death.

Today’s Style Icon imitation of Michael Jackson!

Reigning popstars Rihanna and Beyonce declare their love brazenly.

Jaden Smith’s, thrilling experience with MJ’s Thriller Red Jacket on the ramp.

Costume Sketches

of Michael

Jackson…

Fashion Illustrations…………..

Conclusion…

MJ will of course be remembered for his mindblowing music, his pathbreaking

visionary videos, and his near impossible fluid dance moves. But just as

importantly, he will live on for the creative sense of style that inspired

a generation of designers and performers.

MJ’s unusual flair for fashion and exaggerated sartorial style went a

long way into making him the icon he is. When news of his death trickled

through, fans world over took to the streets with his stylistic thrusts and moves,

celebrating an icon’s lifetime rather than openly mourning his death.

Michael was a born showman if ever there was one. His cherubic face as a five-

year-old was as fascinating as the many faces he changed as he grew up. In

fact, he probably was more faithful to his sense of fashion than he was to the

face God gave him. His leather jackets, single white rhinestone glove, broad

shoulder, military look and ankle-cropped trousers were perennial favourites

and definitely stood out.

In the 60s, MJ as a kid wore bellbottoms, vests, bright colours, printed tops and

huge collars – quite the little man! And then as he grew up, his dress sense

seemed to spring from his wildest kiddie fantasies!

With his album, Thriller, his sense of fashion peaked in the 80s and the red

leather jacket he wore here became his signature through life. MJ wore many

versions of this jacket later. Slim fit, shorter pants that showed off his bright

coloured socks became a staple as did the military look, epaulets, medals and of

course loads of sequins, which remained his sparkling obsession all through life!

Then came Billie Jean’s shiny tuxedo with white socks and shoes. Gold boots and

knee pads made a statement in 2002 as he escorted Britney to the MTV Video

Music Awards.

Michael was certainly the harbinger of bling to male wardrobes.

The single iconic white rhinestone glove Michael introduced at the 1984

Grammy’s where Thriller won eight awards, was adopted by his family in a

touching tribute at his funeral. This item has been hailed by stylists as the

“defining fashion moment in a career of

groundbreaking style.”

Black hat, satin pants, oversized red jacket, gold boots, knee pads, armband,

chunky belts, straps, ties, patches, sunglasses – and then of course layers of

make-up – all were adopted by MJ as distinctive style statements and became

his inimitable signature through life and in death.

MJ’s style of course extended beyond clothes and accessories. His movements on

stage were mesmerising; he was indeed rhythm in dancing shoes. Media finally

gave him the title of the greatest!