The Fashion Spot

Despite his less than favorable reputation in the last few years, it is incontestable that Michael Jackson had a massive impact on the fashion industry. From the start of his career, he pioneered a style that took inspiration from the current trends, but which was indisputably unique. The trends and styles that he introduced back in the Eighties were consistently reinvented, even when his popularity faded.  

White ankle socks with black loafers will almost always provoke a moonwalking reference, and the military-style jacket he wore in ‘Thriller’ has most certainly lasted the test of time. As recently as this month, Jackson was seen wearing pieces from the popular Balmain collection he is said to have inspired.

But the lone accessory that will forever be worn in reference to Jackson is the single glove. First donned in 1983 during a television performance of ‘Billie Jean’, the single glove has infiltrated society as a Jackson trademark.  

In addition to his grand contributions to the fashion industry, Jackson was also a huge supporter of the retail industry to an almost detrimental degree. Known for spending up to $35 million a year on clothing, Jackson was famous for his impromptu shopping sprees in fashion capitals from Las Vegas to London. Even when he was deep in debt, lack of funds never inhibited Jackson, and he continued to spend at an unstoppable speed.

When his financial troubles reached a peak, more than a thousand lots of memorabilia from the Neverland Ranch, including costumes, were set to be auction off, but this was cancelled after an agreement was reached with creditors. This year, Jackson had planned to embark upon a tour entitled ‘This Is It’ robed in garments containing over 300,000 Swarovski crystals. Designed especially for him by Crystallized Swarovski Elements, these costumes contained stones in 43 sizes and in 27 different colors. Even though the public will never see Jackson perform in those elaborate costumes, his influence on the international fashion world will survive him for decades to come.  

Images courtesy of the Fashion Spot forums.