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?

Justin Giunta

NEW YORK, United States — For the month of June 2009, The Spotlight is on Justin Giunta, of Subversive Jewelry.

I first met Justin in the throes of a chaotic New York Fashion Week in February, after he was introduced to me by Mary Gehlhar, author of one of the must-read fashion books for any emerging designer, The Fashion Designer’s Survival Guide. Mary raved about Justin’s creativity and drive, and my late afternoon tea at the Mercer Hotel with Justin only confirmed this.

Justin’s background is in the fine arts, and he previously had an accomplished career as a painter before turning his attention to jewelry. But, he has not left the creative process of his painting behind, incorporating a similar approach to his jewelry.

“I lay out the materials like paint on a palette, and draw together disparate elements of color and texture…morphing them to ensure they land appropriately into the composition, valuing every scrap as the potential ‘ringer’ in another piece,” he says. “The way I design comes naturally because it is how I, as an artist, deconstruct coded messages of the past and present and assemble them to create my own visual language.”

Indeed, the first thing I noticed during my first meeting with Justin was a beautiful oversized military-inspired brooch which dangled elegantly from his coat. And, I am now the happy owner of one of these brooches, which has been the source of many compliments ever since — a delightful purchase.

Thus, it’s only fitting that we have the same brooch, from Subversive Jewelry’s Autumn/Winter 2009 collection, in The Spotlight this month.

The Spotlight is BoF’s showcase for emerging talent employing creativity and business acumen to make their mark in the fashion business.