Treacy's Thriller

[Moonwalker.Fan]

So..., are these costumes really original????

I dont think so!

 

[Bee]

I think Treacy's show was amazing! Absolutely love the way he used the hats to match with these costumes.

Michael has been one of the biggest fashion icons for me and it's only logical that other people recognize the same thing in him. Someone like Philip Treacy has no reason to disrespect MJ by making these designs. He's a name on it's own in the fashion industry already. And for everyone who thinks they look awful and weird, it's not necessary to be normal. Michael wasn't either and that's why this is such a great combination.

P.S. I don't believe that they've used the exact same costumes Michael owned as they don't look like that. Must have been replica's.

 

[myosotis]

I think Treacy's show was amazing! Absolutely love the way he used the hats to match with these costumes.

Michael has been one of the biggest fashion icons for me and it's only logical that other people recognize the same thing in him. Someone like Philip Treacy has no reason to disrespect MJ by making these designs. He's a name on it's own in the fashion industry already. And for everyone who thinks they look awful and weird, it's not necessary to be normal. Michael wasn't either and that's why this is such a great combination.

P.S. I don't believe that they've used the exact same costumes Michael owned as they don't look like that. Must have been replica's.

These are the MJ outfits owned by Michael Bush, which he is selling through Julien's auctions in November. Mr Julien was at the Treacy event. The same costumes have now gone to Japan to be put on display before the auction ...you can see them in the photograph on the MJ exhibition in Tokyo' thread, here:

http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/threads/125267-Michael-Jackson-exhibition-in-Tokyo

 

[Bee]

These are the MJ outfits owned by Michael Bush, which he is selling through Julien's auctions in November. Mr Julien was at the Treacy event. The same costumes have now gone to Japan to be put on display before the auction ...you can see them in the photograph on the MJ exhibition in Tokyo' thread, here:

http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/threads/125267-Michael-Jackson-exhibition-in-Tokyo

But they are not the exact same outfits he actually wore, right? Or are they? The only item where it says he wore it is the hat. That's what I mean with replica's. I can't imagine them using the exact same costumes for this fashion show as he wore at concerts and stuff.

There have been so much exhibitions and auctions for his outfits that I wonder which are Michael's and which are not tho'.
Kind of a confusing thing. Hmmm.

 

[myosotis]

But they are not the exact same outfits he actually wore, right? Or are they? The only item where it says he wore it is the hat. That's what I mean with replica's. I can't imagine them using the exact same costumes for this fashion show as he wore at concerts and stuff.

There have been so much exhibitions and auctions for his outfits that I wonder which are Michael's and which are not tho'.
Kind of a confusing thing. Hmmm.

The MJ outfits in the Treacy hat show are from the 'Tompkins and Bush' collection'. This is part of the auction announcement:

Julien’s Auctions is proud to announce the auction of The King of Pop, Michael Jackson’s, wardrobe items and ephemera from the collection of designers Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush. These pieces have not been seen since Jackson wore them on stage and in his videos. These very special items are offered for sale for the first time on December 2, 2012 at the Julien’s Auctions Beverly Hills Gallery as part of our annual Icons & Idols auction.

The exhibit and auction include the designs created by Michael Jackson’s long time costume designers Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush, which are also featured in the highly anticipated illustrated book by Michael Bush, THE KING OF STYLE: Dressing Michael Jackson, which will be published by Insight Editions and available October 30, 2012. The collection of Jackson clothing and wardrobe offered for sale, and seen in the book, showcases Michael Jackson’s love of fashion and huge impact on popular culture. Many of the items featured in the book will be included in the auction with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas and Guide Dogs of America in Los Angeles.

http://www.juliensauctions.com/auctions/2012/icons-and-idols/tompkins-and-bush/index.html


As the article in the first post for this thread says:

The show, prepared in the utmost secrecy for Sunday night, is to be considered a prelude to the sale of the Tompkins and Bush collection, scheduled by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California, on Dec. 2.

 

[Bonnie Blue]

As the article in the first post for this thread says:

The show, prepared in the utmost secrecy for Sunday night, is to be considered a prelude to the sale of the Tompkins and Bush collection, scheduled by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California, on Dec. 2.

I've got to admit i actually enjoyed seeing some of the catwalk, i loved the headdress with the history teaser jacket for example, but didn't care for the smiley headgear with mj's most iconic thriller jacket. What has annoyed me is that the show doesn't seem to be primarily honouring mj's contribution to fashion - i saw gaga in that cream crystal jacket and glove in the uk papers and it never mentioned it was actually mj's, they just mentioned she was wearing an mj-inspired glove - it seems to be mainly promotion for bush and julien for their auction of mj's outfits. I hope they had the courtesy of informing mj estate and his children about it. I also hope bush gave the estate first refusal of any mj costumes that they don't have a copy of.

 

[xrisx]

If these really are originals than I think that shows no respect to Michael at all. Seriously, who would let these people wear the original clothes? It even sounds weird.
I guess anyone can have / where Michael's personal items. The Auction is bad enough to be honest.
Has this ever been done to/for another icon?

I don't see this as a tribute, it seems people are using this to get some attention for themselves.
The designer of the hats tries to make it seem like a tribute but it seems to be lost on the general public.
I can't believe the guys who designed these things for Michael could have so little respect for his clothes.

Replica's would be nice, but originals? I'm not even gonna start on Gaga, I was disturbed by that picture when I saw it, but knowing that is his jacket? Unbelievable...
I guess nothing is off limits anymore. Any way we can make money, right?

Edit: It seems most people elsewhere see this just as a tribute. Are we too sensitive?
Or is it just not known that these were actually his clothes?

 

[myosotis]

If these really are originals than I think that shows no respect to Michael at all. Seriously, who would let these people wear the original clothes? It even sounds weird.
I guess anyone can have / where Michael's personal items. The Auction is bad enough to be honest.
Has this ever been done to/for another icon?

I don't see this as a tribute, it seems people are using this to get some attention for themselves.
The designer of the hats tries to make it seem like a tribute but it seems to be lost on the general public.
I can't believe the guys who designed these things for Michael could have so little respect for his clothes.

Replica's would be nice, but originals? I'm not even gonna start on Gaga, I was disturbed by that picture when I saw it, but knowing that is his jacket? Unbelievable...
I guess nothing is off limits anymore. Any way we can make money, right?

Edit: It seems most people elsewhere see this just as a tribute. Are we too sensitive?Or is it just not known that these were actually his clothes?

'The show, prepared in the utmost secrecy for Sunday night'
With reference to the above statement, I think that Bush and Julien may have expected some kind of adverse feedback from the fans, or this show would not have been such a big secret. Many fashion shows are quite well advertised before they take place...I understand this show was not open to the general public (only to fashion journalists and the like...and we all know how kind journalists have in general been to MJ in the past ), but why all the secrecy?

I do think it a pity that having brought all the outfits to London, they could not exhibit them here...I'm sure many fans would have loved an opportunity to see them here, especially those who could not manage to travel to Ireland. But as Bonnie says above, these pre-auction shows and exhibitions are not primarily for the benefit of the general run of fans, but mainly for those with thousands of dollars to spend at Juliens (or Treacy's). These people are running businesses, and there is no profit in putting on free shows for fans.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

As far as Sunday nights go, last night was pretty spectacular. The air was thick with anticipation backstage as line-up of models were preparing for their rehearsal walk, described by make-up artist Topolino as, 'androgynous and very strong'.

Then the bombshell was dropped, 'Lady Gaga is in the building'. If that wasn't enough of a surprise then came 'and the clothes, Michael Jackson's back catalogue. The Thriller jacket and glove are down there.'

Behind us, hanging on rails as if they were any other designer pieces, was Michael Jackson's wardrobe within touching distance. A line of dressers stood quietly guarding the costly clothes (their value to be determined at auction in Beverly Hills this December). On the opposite side on tressel tables, or in one rather large feathered head piece's case a San Pellegrino cardboard box, sat Treacy's spectacular designs. Swarovski elements adorned Nicholas Kirkwood's shoes and rings the size of fists, that would give Magpies palpatations, glistened. The simple, glossy make-up was by MAC and the sleek hair by FUDGE.

Enter Lady Gaga, her face almost entirely covered by a floral Treacy design, came in with her entourage. 'I'm so excited' she squealed to Treacy who walked alongside her.

She tried on a large blue ring that Treacy pointed out to her, had a quick look at the pieces and with that she was gone. Rumour had it she was set to perform. Which she did in a way.

She didn't sing. The soundtrack was left to Michael for who, along with Isabella Blow and Alexander McQueen, the show was dedicated. Some of his most famous songs were played including a mere 20 seconds of Billie Jean at the end for which Treacy had to press his team to keep in despite having to cut it short, 'it's a classic' he told one. It had to be cut short for John Fisher and the IMDC Gospel Choir, of course, who sang the models out during their final walk.

But back to Gaga, she was first to step out onto the catwalk sheathed head to toe in pink fabric before stopping half way down and opening the show by saying, 'Ladies and gentlemen the greatest milliner in the world Philip Treacy, in the clothes of the late Michael Jackson' before yelling 'amen fashion!'

The Treacy show had begun and even now we wish it had never stopped.


http://www.elleuk.com/star-style/news/lady-gaga-at-lfw-s-biggest-show-philip-treacy#image=1

 

[myosotis]

Photo by iMAXTREE View by: Lady Gaga, shrouded in pink tulle, walked slowly down the catwalk. The entire audience at the Royal Courts of Justice held its breath.‘Ladies and Gentlemen!!!’ she bellowed, ‘the greatest milliner in the world, Philip Treacy, in the clothes of Michael Jackson!’

It was by far the most dramatic opening to a fashion show we’d ever seen. Gaga. MJ. The return to London of one of its most prodigious talents. It was almost too much to take, and then the real show began. A show so fantastic that it almost – almost - consigned the Gaga opening to a footnote.

With an all-black cast of models, we saw a parade of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits – the clothes, that is, from his stage tours. From the narrow-waisted drummer boy jackets to the leather trousers, the electric blue suits to the heavily embellished boleros, all the iconic looks – created by designers Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins – were present and correct.

But this was no museum display – this was a proper resurrection. Philip Treacy had worked with Bush to bring the clothes back to life by creating a hat for each outfit. If ever there was a daunting task, then injecting new life into the vestiges of a legend would be up there. But Philip Treacy succeeded in making those clothes sing once again.

Oh, the hats, There were huge swooping Swarovski star rings and ornate golden headdresses that belonged in ancient sacred rituals. There were plumes of feathers and crystal-encrusted masks. LED lights and primitive warrior masks. There was even a shimmering ivory ship with sails billowing that poignantly recalled the late Isabella Blow.

Alek Wek brought huge applause when she came out wearing a Swarovski crystal Michael Jackson glove hat, and one on her hand which incited her to throw some serious shapes for the cameras. Everyone was dancing, from the swaggering models who each had their own take on the King of Pop, to the rapt front row.

The glitzy front row was made up of starlets like Kelly Brooke, Kim Cattrell and Delilah flanked by revered fashion figures: Vivienne Westwood, Sarah Burton and Gareth Pugh all came to support the Irish designer, while music legends Brian Ferry and Nick Rhodes represented the charts.

It was almost too much to take when the lights dimmed and a full gospel choir began to sing for the finale.

Their notes hit the rafters. I BELIEVE, they sang. But we shook our heads, as we really couldn't believe what we'd just experienced.

http://www.elleuk.com/catwalk/designer-a-z/philip-treacy/spring-summer-2013#image=1

 

[myosotis]

In retrospect, I should have been prepared for a spectacle at Philip Treacy’s show last night, given the grand, cavernous venue of the Royal Courts of Justice and the airport-style security to get in, which was truly a sight to be seen. (Putting my [Target] clutch in a plastic bin with Anna Dello Russo’s crystal minaudiere, and seeing Vivienne Westwood stride through the metal detector was like being in a weird fashion dream.) Still, nothing prepared me for what was to be one of the most spectacular shows I’ve ever seen.

Once we were (finally) granted entry into the venue, we jostled for seats alongside Grace Jones, Boy George, Kim Cattrall, Dita von Teese, and industry titans including Sarah Burton. It felt like everyone in London had gathered together to celebrate the much-loved milliner at his first show in eight years.

About two minutes before the show started, the PR turned to me and told me to get my camera ready, because “this is about to be the greatest moment of our lives.”

Given the PR’s propensity to exaggerate, I was more than a little skeptical. That was until the lights went down, and Lady Gaga glided out before us in what can only be described as a pink chiffon shroud. She stopped halfway down the catwalk, raised her arms, and bellowed “Welcome to the show of the greatest milliner in the world, Philip Treacy. In the clothes of the late Michael Jackson.”
(Ed. Note: Seriously–these really were MJ’s clothes, on loan from his former costume designer, according to Huffington Post.)

The crowed roared, the lights came up, and out strode Alec Wek in the iconic gilded military coat. Pounding before our eyes, on a cast of entirely black models, were the best iteration of the King of Pop’s wardrobe staples: The diamond glove, the red leather motorcycle jacket, gold leather trousers and a red letter M varsity jacket–it was all there.

Celebrities and editors jived in their seats to Billie Jean, stopping only to gasp at the hats before us. If they can be called hats–sculptures, toys, light installations, seem more apt descriptions but needless to say, each one was more breathtakingly incredible than the last.

There was a yellow plastic smiley face. Mohawks, masks, feathered crowns with a four-foot wing span. A diamond encrusted hand worn on the head, some glittering Mickey Mouse ears, and an intricate sailboat at full mast, completely to scale. A full carnival in miniature, complete with spinning carousel and a working ferris wheel. Then came the light show–a spinning wheel with flashing lights whipping round the model’s head. And then finally a full, lit-up LED cage that covered the whole body, from the top of the head to the ankles, and the cloud burst into applause. As the model spun and flashed all the way to end of the runway, a Gospel Choir came out and burst into a rousing rendition of ‘Will You be There.’

All the while Lady Gaga was sitting on the floor between aisles of the front row. As she hadn’t sung and it wasn’t announced that she would be at the show, lots of the people sitting around her had no idea a star was in their midst. But she stayed still, uncharacteristically out of the limelight, until the show finished and Philip had taken his bow. About half the crowd flooded backstage to congratulate him on his historic show. The rest of us sat in our seats, completely awestruck and overwhelmed by what we had just witnessed. This will also go down in history as the worst time for anyone’s iPhone to die, ever. I blame you, iPhone 5.

http://fashionista.com/2012/09/lady-gaga-opens-phillip-treacys-michael-jackson-themed-show/

 

[Bee]

...
I think that Bush and Julien may have expected some kind of adverse feedback from the fans, or this show would not have been such a big secret. Many fashion shows are quite well advertised before they take place...I understand this show was not open to the general public (only to fashion journalists and the like...and we all know how kind journalists have in general been to MJ in the past ), but why all the secrecy?
...

The fashion industry has always been very positive and respectful towards MJ and probably understands him better than the general public. A lot of designers have claimed MJ to be a part of their inspiration sources, paid tribute in some way or just spoke nicely of him. At least that's what I noticed while working in that fashion industry myself. I think fashion journalists, bloggers and all those are totally not to be generalized together with the usual media that we fans know so well about. That really isn't one and the same thing. Fashion has a world on it's own.

I guess the secrecy may have been because Philip Treacy hasn't been doing shows for a while and that they wanted to create a buzz.
Often not telling people what they can expect will make them even more curious. So that isn't a too unlogical thing to do.
Plus, it's been a very unusual type of show for a fashion week seeing it was totally focused on MJ.


P.S. Thanks for posting those articles!

 

[bluetopez]

The head pieces completely took away from the outfits to me, made them look SILLY. Instead of showing how creative MJ style was they made it look like a circus show or something IMO with those ugly ridiculous hats a look that only Gaga would wear. What a shame some where actually really MJ originals on some whatever models. SMH

 

[8701girl]

The head pieces completely took away from the outfits to me, made them look SILLY. Instead of showing how creative MJ style was they made it look like a circus show or something IMO with those ugly ridiculous hats a look that only Gaga would wear. What a shame some where actually really MJ originals on some whatever models. SMH

I totally agree

 

[mjchris]

who is lady gaga???

 

[CherubimII]

The crowed roared, the lights came up, and out strode Alec Wek in the iconic gilded military coat. Pounding before our eyes, on a cast of entirely black models, were the best iteration of the King of Pop’s wardrobe staples: The diamond glove, the red leather motorcycle jacket, gold leather trousers and a red letter M varsity jacket–it was all there.

Celebrities and editors jived in their seats to Billie Jean, stopping only to gasp at the hats before us. If they can be called hats–sculptures, toys, light installations, seem more apt descriptions but needless to say, each one was more breathtakingly incredible than the last.

There was a yellow plastic smiley face. Mohawks, masks, feathered crowns with a four-foot wing span. A diamond encrusted hand worn on the head, some glittering Mickey Mouse ears, and an intricate sailboat at full mast, completely to scale. A full carnival in miniature, complete with spinning carousel and a working ferris wheel. Then came the light show–a spinning wheel with flashing lights whipping round the model’s head. And then finally a full, lit-up LED cage that covered the whole body, from the top of the head to the ankles, and the cloud burst into applause. As the model spun and flashed all the way to end of the runway, a Gospel Choir came out and burst into a rousing rendition of ‘Will You be There.’

All the while Lady Gaga was sitting on the floor between aisles of the front row. As she hadn’t sung and it wasn’t announced that she would be at the show, lots of the people sitting around her had no idea a star was in their midst. But she stayed still, uncharacteristically out of the limelight, until the show finished and Philip had taken his bow. About half the crowd flooded backstage to congratulate him on his historic show. The rest of us sat in our seats, completely awestruck and overwhelmed by what we had just witnessed. This will also go down in history as the worst time for anyone’s iPhone to die, ever. I blame you, iPhone 5.

Please allow me to quote the great Sammy Davis Jr.

When people leave my show, I don't mind if they say they did not like the show; but what I never want them to say is: "There was no show."

:cheeky:

 

[Aquarius]

So, Tracy was inspired by Michael in the creation of those head pieces?

We'll see how much those clothes are sold for since their original value have declined after the models wore them, but also since they're Michael's, people might pay huge amounts for them. We'll see.

I just wished Bush didn't lend Michael's clothes. Did he get paid for it?

 

[myosotis]

So, Tracy was inspired by Michael in the creation of those head pieces?

We'll see how much those clothes are sold for since their original value have declined after the models wore them, but also since they're Michael's, people might pay huge amounts for them. We'll see.

I just wished Bush didn't lend Michael's clothes. Did he get paid for it?

I understand that these items must have been consigned to Julien's some time ago ( as the auction has been pre-advertised for a long time). So I think technically they belong to Julien's from the point of consignment to the sale. I imagine it must cost a lot to transport and insure them, so maybe Treacy paid for that...or maybe the whole thing was agreed and paid for by Julien's as an extra piece of advertising prior to the auction sale...I expect we will never know.

 

[pg13]

Philip Treacy is consider an artist in the fashion scene, and (as Michael) some times he is not fully understud. He has always admire Michael's influence on world fashion and he dedicated this show to his mentor Alexander McQueen, just as MLB dedicated this TRIBUTE to his good friend and mentor in a lot of ways, Michael Jackson.
Since the clothes belong to MLB he can do what ever he wants with them, he is in total right to do so IMO.

Love me some fashion week!

Thanks for all the nice articules and pics!!

 

[bluesky]

• FASHION
• September 28, 2012, 4:40 p.m. ET

The Man Who Turned Hats Into Art

Milliner Philip Treacy, known for his surreal and sublime headgear, staged a fashion show that paid homage to the late King of Pop. Michael Roberts bore witness to the 'thriller' of a fashion moment.




By MICHAEL ROBERTS

<cite style="font-style: normal; text-align: right; display: block; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 3px 0px 0px; ">Michael Roberts/Maconochie Photography</cite>A model in one of Michael Jackson's military-uniform-inspired pieces and a coordinating headpiece by Philip Treacy.



THREE DAYS before presenting his newest collection during the recent London Fashion Week, Irish-born milliner Philip Treacy was seated in his overstuffed workroom opposite Battersea Dogs & Cats Home fashioning Michael Jackson's hand out of spartre, the malleable straw used in traditional hat making. For the show, this witty headpiece would be covered in crystals in a nod to the singer's famous jeweled glove and perched on the head of the Sudanese model Alek Wek.&#8232;As he worked, he inhaled furiously on his umpteenth cigarette.

Mr. Treacy is a millinery legend. He is probably best known in the United States for making the horned headdress that Madonna wore in this year's Super Bowl halftime appearance. ("She was so impolite," he said.) But Mr. Treacy, a five-time recipient of the British Accessory Designer of the Year award and holder of an OBE (Order of the British Empire) has crafted his extraordinary hats for everyone from the Duchesses of Cambridge and Cornwall and Victoria Beckham to designers like the late Alexander McQueen since he began plying his trade in 1990.
Enlarge Image

<cite style="font-style: normal; text-align: right; display: block; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); margin: 3px 0px 0px; ">Michael Roberts/Maconochie Photography</cite>Mr. Treacy with a model in his 'Smiley' visor and the leather jacket that Michael Jackson wore in the 'Thriller' video.



This show would be Mr. Treacy's first in nine years. Downstairs, in a dilapidated basement temporarily fortified with a steel door, there were racks of the late Mr. Jackson's original stage costumes, which were on loan from a Los Angeles-based auction house and insured for around 10 million pounds. They were waiting to be paired with various creations by Mr. Treacy. The iconic red-and-black leather jacket from the "Thriller" video, for instance, would be twinned with a saucer-shape hat resembling a huge yellow smiley face. Mr. Jackson's flowing ivory shirt from the video for "Earth Song" and truncated trousers from "Billie Jean" were slated to accompany a silvery hat resembling a ghostly Spanish galleon, complete with miniature construction-kit cannons.

Meanwhile, 27 black models—a controversial choice provoking much "oohing" and "aahing" in the English press—were booked, and each girl being fitted remarked at how the slender Mr. Jackson's clothes festooned with military buckles, brass buttons and toy soldier epaulets exactly followed their etiolated figures. Several burst into tears, overcome by emotion as they slipped into their outfits, which are destined to be auctioned off in December.

"Why Michael Jackson's wardrobe?" I asked Mr. Treacy, who told me he initially met with the owners of the clothes simply to borrow a glove but was then offered the whole shebang. "Michael Jackson was all about a dream and one of the greatest entertainers ever," he said. "I respect originality more than anything else and I was inspired."&#8232;

Distributed among a warren of upstairs rooms, Mr. Treacy's workforce was engaged in a series of oddball tasks. One beavered away gluing tiny blue crystals onto a minuscule hat that barely fit around one eye. Another tested the motor propelling a miniature paper Ferris wheel, which was to form part of a hat based on the amusement park at Mr. Jackson's Neverland Ranch. The atmosphere was tense with concentration rather than knockabout fun. A dozen or so workers hunched over benches littered with long quills, silk flowers, straw, pliers, scissors and glue. It was all interspersed with the odd mug of tea and plate of congealed leftover food in that cozily haphazard English way that flouts general tenets of efficiency and hygiene.
Enlarge Image

<cite style="text-align: start; font-style: normal; display: block; margin: 3px 0px 0px; ">Michael Roberts/Maconochie Photography</cite>Lady Gaga in a Treacy flowered helmet made 20 years ago.


The following day, as a welcome break, the designer treated his entire crew to the London concert of Lady Gaga. The pop singer, who is an avid fan, dedicated songs to Mr. Treacy's late muse Isabella Blow and afterward promised to cancel a gig in order to introduce his upcoming fashion show. Even without the endorsement of Ms. Gaga, Mr. Treacy's hat show was heavily anticipated. Apart from marking his re-emergence on the fashion show schedule after a nine-year hiatus it was expected to afford endless opportunities for wallowing in the fashion craziness of the '90s—a time when unfettered creativity ruled the English collections and designers such as Mr. Treacy and Mr. McQueen strained to outdo each other in runway theatrics, even setting fire to their catwalks or dousing them with fake rain. It was a time when models were sprayed by giant paint machines and wore dresses swarming with flies.

“'Why Michael Jackson's wardrobe?' I asked Mr. Treacy. 'Michael Jackson was all about a dream,' he said. 'I respect originality more than anything else, and I was inspired.'”
<cite class="tagline" style="font-style: normal; display: block; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.72em; line-height: 1em; margin-top: 8px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; "></cite>
​

"I saw the show when Jerry Hall came up out of the floor like a rocket," said Mr. Treacy's sister, Marilyn, mistily recalling an earlier spectacular of Mr. Treacy's in a West End theater. The second youngest of seven brothers and one sister, Mr. Treacy smiled benevolently. "My sister invented me," he whispered. "She was a nurse who spent all her money on clothes and would come home with copies of Harper's and Vogue and say 'Maybe one day you could become a designer.' I remember wondering 'What's a designer?'"&#8232;
Enlarge Image

Michael Roberts/Maconochie Photography​

A model in a laser cut piece Mr. Treacy created for his recent show.


At Central Saint Martins fashion college, his classmates could never understand Mr. Treacy's obsession with what they considered an old lady's accessory. Headwear proved to be something of a mission. "Hats are not old hat. We all have a head so the potential is always there," he explained. "When you meet someone, you meet their face, not their foot, leg or thigh."

Then, over the years, the milliner somehow morphed from being the darling of the avant-garde into the man to blame for the atrocious fascinators—the hairpieces that adorn every British society maven including much of the congregation at last year's royal wedding. "Fascinators are not fascinating," said Mr. Treacy, disassociating himself from the "few sad feathers and a bit of straw" put out by his copyists. "I express myself through a hat. I don't make hats for corporate people. That's why I like children's interpretations of my hats. They either love them or hate them," he continued, hurrying to affix yet another feather. Mr. Jackson's recordings played over and over.&#8232;

At the fashion show, held amid the soaring gothic arches of the Royal Courts of Justice on London's Fleet Street, the multitude of eccentric heads and masked faces filling the audience bore testament not only to Mr. Treacy's influence but to that of Isabella Blow. Lady Gaga, who has major plans to play Ms. Blow in her first movie feature, channeled the English original by taking to the catwalk in her scandalously transparent pink burqa created by Japanese designer Jun Takahashi. "She's totally serious about it and wants to come and intern with me for four months," said Mr. Treacy. The black gospel choir, who sang for the finale, departed. The hats, some of which actually lit up, were packed away. Slowly the plaudits died down for a show that brought the jaded fashion crowd to its feet.
"Life can be pretty dull," Mr. Treacy said. "You have to entertain yourself in some way. Commerce comes later."&#8232;

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444165804578010742584530264.html

 

[Bubs]

Meanwhile, 27 black models&#8212;a controversial choice provoking much "oohing" and "aahing" in the English press&#8212;were booked, and each girl being fitted remarked at how the slender Mr. Jackson's clothes festooned with military buckles, brass buttons and toy soldier epaulets exactly followed their etiolated figures. Several burst into tears, overcome by emotion as they slipped into their outfits, which are destined to be auctioned off in December.

I cannot imagine how hard it must have been for some models, if some of them were fans of Michael and then get a job that requires dressing up in his clothes. I would have cried my eyes out and run off with clothes

 

[Butterflies.]

For some reason I don't think those are really the originals

I read somewhere that more than 1 copy was made. Hopefully it's true. I forgot the article link where I found it.

and didn't he give his Thriller varsity jacket away to a sick boy?

 

[zhelva]

For some reason I don't think those are really the originals

I read somewhere that more than 1 copy was made. Hopefully it's true. I forgot the article link where I found it.

and didn't he give his Thriller varsity jacket away to a sick boy?

Yeah, this is true. I read somewhere that many copies were made, some of them Michael gave away for charity, personal gifts, etc..

 

[Memefan]

So..., are these costumes really original????I dont think so!

They are original. I asked MB and duplicates weren't made for all costumes. He confirmed these are all ORIGINALS.Again I repeat....THESE ARE ALL ORIGINALS PIECES MICHAEL WORE.

 

[tricia70]

Apart from it being so wrong to use Michael's clothes this way - those hats are mostly ridiculous. Can't see any of us wearing anything like that - ever. How the audience didn't laugh I will never know. If this is high fashion they can keep it.

Relax. This is a fashion show. All fashion shows or a lot of them are more like an art exhibition. They are extravagant, over the top, the more flare the better. A lot of these shows' clothing are not really to be worn as they are exhibited. They ae not sold as seen, but vary to accommodate the buyer.

These are not Michael's personal clothing either. You can clearly see they are custom made to fit the models. I feel this is a tribute to Michael and his amazing fashion style. He inspires fashion designers with his fashion sense and that is something to be celebrated, not attacked.

French designer Paul Gaultier also has been inspired by Michael for his Spring 2013 collection.

This all means Michael's legacy transcends his musical genius. Michael was a multi-talented genius and famous designers are paying tribute and respect for his unique talent. So celebrate!:dancin:

 

[tricia70]

^ mmm okay I just read other comments about these costumes being originals- wow- they fit the models perfectly though- interesting. Anyway it is still a great tribute to Michael. I have no problem somebody else wearing them. I think Michael would have appreciated ppl admiring his great taste in clothes. Look, it only keeps his legacy alive via his fashion sense, remember he was a style icon and the world should never forget that!

 

[myosotis]

Youtube videos of the whole show




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjt-LEMlyts&feature=relmfu





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-xZP0sCAmE&feature=relmfu




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDrhfPacIXc&feature=relmfu





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR1RKeuz03I&feature=relmfu