Michael Jackson's Stage Costumes on Display

The recent craze over the life and works of Michael Jackson, who passed away earlier this year, has been heating up even more in recent days and weeks in anticipation of the release of This is It, the documentary that will give fans a taste of the series of comeback concerts that would have marked a major world-wide tour for Jackson had his unexpected death been kept at bay. Eager to see clips of the King of Pop doing his famous dance moves and working through the demands of dancer auditions and other behind-the-scenes action, fans are gearing up to get a final glimpse of the star who reigned on the pop charts for decades with mega-hit songs and music videos. For the concerts, Jackson had a bevy of designers from around the world at beck and call to create some of the most outlandish and inventive stage costumes imaginable –all with tributes to Jackson's original style. Yet these costumes won't be given much, if any, of a spotlight in This is It; for a look at what the star would have donned on stage, fans can venture to the O2 Arena in London, or can wait for the traveling collection to come to New York and Tokyo.
The collection of costumes represents some of the most painstakingly produced stage items ever made, with such items as intricate embroidered suits, eye-popping shoulder pad structures, and a single glove designed for the performance of “Billie Jean” which features scores of Swarovski crystals lit by emerging LED technology that was rushed into production for the sole purpose of serving Jackson's call for unforgettable costumes. Well-known for extraordinary pieces that started trends and defined entire eras in music, Jackson could have been reasonably expected to attend his concerts in high style. But one look at the costumes on display in this traveling collection shows the power of what can be accomplished when one of the world's greatest fashion icons pairs with designers such as Zaldy, Dior, and Balmain.
Those who take in the documentary are sure to find a farewell befitting of the King of Pop, with incredible song and dance numbers that doubtless would have had critics raving had the live performances been carried out, but which nevertheless convey the raw talent and skill of Jackson through rehearsal alone. Paired with the splendor of his costumes (not to mention his penchant for beautiful pins, belts, and other costume jewellery items) and the visual tribute to the star's unique and unforgettable place in fashion history, fans can find comfort, inspiration, and celebration of a man who seemed larger than life, even if his final years produced some degree of scandal and confusion. As with so many emotions, concepts, and ideas, fashion has decided that it can take on the job of sorting everything out; all that's needed to get the perfect parting picture of Jackson is to behold his over the top yet entirely appropriate comeback tour costume collection.

Fabrican: Is Spray-On Fashion Feasible?

There have been a number of exciting developments in the world of fashion since the advent of modern technology, and a great deal of focus has been given to making the creation and wearability of fashion more convenient for everyone involved with a given article of clothing or accessory. From no-nonsense seams and stitching to false buttons and well beyond, style is often as much about effortlessness as it is about good looks. That's something costume jewellery knows well and truly takes to heart. The ability to slip on a cocktail ring or a strand of charm necklaces and step out in all the glory of classic jewellery beauty along with modern trends is one that makes accessorizing a dream come true, even on the busiest of schedules. But can convenience culture go too far when it comes to the world of fashion? That's a question recently posed to the makers of Fabrican, which, if you haven't already guessed, manufactures spray-on fabric that comes in a handy can form.
Immediate skeptics of the idea may do well to remember that some of modernity's most popular products have also been delivered in a can; after all, this is the era of Easy Cheese. Just imagine rummaging through your closet, dismayed that nothing seems right or would require too much dressing up, only to remember that you have a Fabrican for a certain outfit ready and waiting up in the stacks of suitcases and other detritus. Pop the cap, apply a few squirts, and you're ready to go -–no buttoning, zipping, or safety-pinning required! Such is the promise of the Fabrican, which has been seen in action lately as applied to Mo Rocca of The Tomorrow Show (a trial which had mixed results; one observer suggested Rocca looked as though he had had an accident). But despite the ease with which clothes might be “applied,” the Fabrican concept seems to have a few flaws that might need to be addressed before shoppers start heading to the canned goods section for their style.
Perhaps chief among the concerns is temperature control. Fabrican garments pay provide a small degree of protection against the elements, but it's hard to imagine wearing a spray-on “sweater” in the midst of a particularly cold December evening. Structure may also be an issue, as so many pieces of clothng serve not simply to cover the body itself, but to create a certain visual form over it with various cuts and shapes. And of course, or most pressing worry is over the possibility that spray-on accessories such as costume jewellery may take a hint from the fad and send us can-crazy with spray-on earrings and other strange fashion delights. At this stage, however, it looks as though Fabrican and its makers might not prevail beyond the realm of the novelty, leaving traditional fashion -–inconvenient as it may be-- to take care of the serious business.