Michael Jackson, Arfaq, Balmain and the garments that mark current fashion
Billie Jean Tuxedo
Jackson’s contemporary version of the tuxedo was innovative. Crafted in black leather and paired with a pink shirt and red bow tie, it allowed men to approach evening looks in a less conventional way. The look has been replicated on the YSL catwalk.
Beaded Moonwalk Jacket
The beaded jacket is what Jackson originally wore in 1983 when he went on his first moonwalk. Dazzling monochromes and fedoras are set to be a big trend this winter, even if white socks paired with loafers continue to be a style challenge.
The world’s first air-conditioned jacket
Countless hours combining state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge design expertise resulted in a world first: the exclusive micro-air conditioning and purification system built into a garment.
The “AC-7” jacket was designed and fitted for Michael Jackson by Arfaq. Created in a distinctive military style, the jacket is a captivating combination of Capri Blue with a dash of Light Amethyst. Specially created stones dramatically recreate the effect of the aurora. Boreal is enhanced with glorious vibrant rainbow colors. One arm simply shimmers in a torrent of clear crystal drops. Over 275,000 crystal stones, each cut with eight facets, were used in the production of this jacket.
military jackets
Wait dodge! Jackson led the fashion troops with his custom-made, braided, button-down military jackets. Fast-forward a couple of decades and the Parisian catwalk is filled with similar strong-shouldered looks. Rihanna chose a very MJ denim piece from Balmain, a brand that the King of Pop himself came to prefer.
military
The military style, complete with gold embroidery and sequins, was one of Jacko’s most compelling and copied styles. Balmain paid tribute and Rihanna tried the look. Jackson himself wore this Balmain jacket on a hospital visit.
The military look, worn on the Dangerous Tour in 1992, is arguably classic Jackson. It’s a style that he has refined over the years and that inspired Balmain’s Fall/Winter 2009 collection. It was designed by Denis Tompkins and Michael Bush, who were also responsible for designing his outfits when he appeared in court on child abuse charges. Tompkins has said that Jackson was very fond of the military details on him, as they had clean lines and fit almost like dancewear. Also, uniforms demand attention.
‘Magician’s Fall’ Military Half Jacket
‘Magicians Fall’, designed by Arfaq for Michael Jackson, is a military half jacket, designed in black suede. The garment has a very simple cut and fall and is very comfortable to wear. In return, this jacket is lined in fine black silk and is strikingly decorated with 18K gold buckles.
Gangster style smooth criminal
Smooth Criminal’s gangster-style outfit was designed by Betty Madden and is an homage to Fred Astaire’s outfit in the 1953 film The Bandwagon. It was much more elegant than the suits Jackson wore in the early 1980s. To achieve the impossible effect of leaning so far forward in this image, she wore shoes that used special harnesses with wires and magnets.
The world’s first pair of adjustable shoes
Arfaq designed and developed custom made shoes for Michael Jackson. These shoes were made to electronically self-adjust to his foot. The concept was created because his production company, MJJ Productions, did not reveal his shoe size!
hat tricks
Jackson had the ability to take a simple fashion item and invest it with iconic status. Her tilted fedora is a good example. He became more than just a hat. It was an extension of the man and his dance. He used it to create drama. The look is now popular with Kate Moss, who wears hers to hide from photographers.
the bad days
For the Bad album, Jackson toughened up his image with an abundance of belts, buckles, studs and straps, but he was always more glamorous than intimidating. Mary-Kate Olsen wears Givenchy’s version of the Bad look.
1990s glitter
Jackson and sparkles go hand in hand. He loved to sparkle and was one of the first to wear clothing completely encrusted with Swarovski crystals.
Swarovski Black Diamond Glove
In 1994, Arfaq made a black Swarovski diamond glove for Michael Jackson known as “Healing Hands”, which was worn by Michael Jackson on the HIstory Tour. Handcrafted with 18,443 diamond stones imported from Austria, from the legendary Swarovski Crystal House, the special adhesive allows total control and movement.
Five 9ct Egyptian gold buckles hold the glove in place, each buckle is extremely light, preventing distortion of the finished glove.
His look inspired this Antonio Berardi runway look. Today, sequins work for day and night.
The velvet and crystal jacket
When Michael Jackson celebrated 30 years in music at Madison Square Gardens and was presented with a velvet and crystal jacket designed by Arfaq.
A one jacket thriller
The extravagant red leather jacket Jackson wore in the Thriller video is one of his most memorable looks. It wasn’t so much the color or the style that was important, but the way he wore it, with the sleeves rolled up past the elbows. With that simple touch of style, he set a trend that lasted a decade.
This is one of Jackson’s most iconic outfits. The bold red leather jacket with exaggerated shoulders is from the Thriller video. Fast-forward 25 years and leather jackets and colored jeans are enjoying a renaissance.
The most expensive cufflinks in the world in GBWR
In 1996, the Guinness Book of World Records listed the V2 cufflinks as “the most expensive cufflinks in the world” designed by Arfaq. The pair were sold privately to Michael Jackson and MJJ Productions for £23,850 in November 1996.
Crafted from platinum and 18k white and yellow gold, the V2 cufflinks are adorned with sapphires and diamonds and are individually marked and numbered.
The V2 Twins are presented in a handmade Burr Elm case. Each custom-made case is lined with contrast scarlet red suede. Each box bears the recipient’s individual number and name on a 24-karat gold plate. With production limited to just 7 pairs, this makes it an extremely rare piece of jewelry.
