The Costumers Of Michael Jackson
Today marks the one year anniversary of the passing of the great Michael Jackson. An original in every aspect, he created music no one has ever heard, and certainly dressed like no other. Where did MJ get inspiration to create such original style? To find the source, lets take a look at the people responsible for his personal and stage costumes throughout his 20 years as an artist.
Photo copyright Michael Bush via People
Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins were 2 costumers that were mainly responsible for quite a number of Michael’s clothes. Says Los Angeles Times, “Tens of thousands of pieces, many with military details” were made to MJ’s exact measurements” and also reported that this costume design duo also designed the infamous jacket – “worn in a 1990 L.A. Gear ad campaign was black suede and covered in miniature gold license plates”. Remember the clothes Michael Jackson used to wear whenever he appeared in court? Yup, they were designed by Dennis and Michael too. In the BBC News the designers stated that Michael Jackson loved military details and that Michael Bush was quoted to have told the Los Angeles Times that “Uniforms demand attention,” and that Michael Bush used to drive to the singer’s home at 6am every day to dress MJ with the day’s outfit – to be worn only once.
The last outfit Dennis and Michael Bush designed for MJ was his funeral attire whom they co-designed with Jackson sister La Toya. Other notable mentions from the duo is their designs for ‘Man In The Mirror’. Funny trivia for you: did you know that Michael shares a US Patent with Michael Bush and Dennis for the gravity defying loafers in ‘Smooth Criminal’.
Childhood friend Rick Pallack was also one of Michael Jackson’s designers responsible for MJ’s look. The white suit and accessories that you see on the Thriller album cover and the ‘Billie Jean’ single cover was designed by Rick.
If you could choose only one costume that was undoubtedly the most iconic and that has been copied generation after generation, (especially as a Halloween costume) it would be the red ‘Thriller’ jacket. In an interview, costume designer Deborah Landis said she said that she chose the colour red because the colour would stand out among dusty and ragged looking zombies and ghouls. She was also responsible for that monochrome outfit in ‘Black Or White’!
A lot of people pass away and are forgotten over time but not the great Michael Jackson. A year has passed and millions of people are still mourning for his loss.
Remember the clothes Michael Jackson used to wear whenever he appeared in court? Yup, they were designed by Dennis and Michael too.
For more info, you can read more into Michael’s costumes here!