Michael Jackson’s illuminated jacket from Thriller, his Moonwalk shoes, and his white glove are among famous items belonging to the late pop star that will be exhibited in Kildare next weekend.
The exhibition opens at the Museum of Style Icons from the 30th of October at Newbridge Silverware and will be attended by Jackson’s costume designer and author of The King of Style, Michael Bush.
The exhibition will feature the illuminated Thriller jackets Jackson wore on his1987–1989 Bad World Tour, and the white glove and the loafers worn during rehearsals for his Motown 25 TV performance.
Jackson’s original rhinestone-studded glove, worn during his performance of Billie Jean at the Motown 25 television special in 1983, will be on exhibition
The exhibition, presented in association with entertainment auction house Julien’s Auctions, brings Jackson’s stage-worn costumes and personal memorabilia to Ireland, ahead of a major international exhibition in Bahrain, where some of the pieces are expected to command huge prices.
Jackson’s original rhinestone-studded glove, worn during his performance of Billie Jean at the Motown 25 television special in 1983, will be on exhibit.
The glove carries a pre-auction estimate of $600,000 to $800,000. It last went under the hammer at Julien’s Auctions in 2009, when it sold for a then-record-breaking $430,000.
The singers black leather Florsheim loafers worn during rehearsals for the Motown 25 performance are expected to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000 when they go under the hammer in December.
The exhibition will also feature a selection of other costumes and memorabilia from Jackson’s career, including pieces from his Bad, Dangerous and HIStory world tours and outfits associated with some of his most famous music videos and performances.
Michael Bush, who has also created fashions for Elizabeth Taylor and Britney Spears, will travel to Newbridge Silverware to meet fans and sign copies of his book, The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson.
William Doyle, CEO of Newbridge Silverware, said, “Michael Jackson was one of the most iconic entertainers the world has ever seen. He didn’t just change music; he changed fashion, dance and popular culture forever.
“There are very few people in entertainment history whose costumes are as instantly recognisable as their music.
“To have his spectacular illuminated Thriller jacket here in Newbridge is extraordinary in itself, but to also have the actual glove he wore for that historic Motown performance, along with the famous Moonwalk shoes, is something really special.
“These are pieces of music history that people have seen on television and in photographs for decades, and now they will be able to stand just a few feet away from them here in Kildare.”