The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
LOS ANGELES, United States — Today the world is talking about Michael Jackson's inimitable and legendary contribution to global pop music. But what about his contribution to fashion and what was Jackson's most stylish moment?
There's plenty to choose from. This was the man, of course, with the sequined glove, military-inspired uniforms (think Balmain, without the Pagoda shoulder), shredded jeans, distressed leather jackets with zippers, and countless other iconic costumes and spectacular outfits that have been imitated by fans and fashion designers alike for decades now. Even Justin Giunta's brooch in this month's BoF Spotlight has a little bit of Michael in it.
But above all these, in our opinion, it is in the video for Smooth Criminal that Michael Jackson was at his most stylish. Set in a 1930's style mobster club scene, Jackson's ivory-coloured suit with slightly cropped trousers, paired with a powder blue shirt, spectator shoes and a rakish wide-brimmed fedora hat are the epitome of his unmistakable aesthetic. He also used a bit of patented technology to achieve the Smooth Criminal Lean, which is not as famous as The Moonwalk, but a seriously cool dance move that is burned into our memories nonetheless. The mini-Michael towards the end of the video has been repeated countless times in living rooms all over the world.
According to this nifty graphic from the New York Times, Smooth Criminal was far from his most popular song, but we maintain this is when the man reached his style apogée, flowing naturally from his own music and personality.
What do you think? What was his most stylish moment?
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