If you took a moment in between boo-hooing into kleenex while watching Michael Jackson's memorial special yesterday, you may have noticed how GREAT and fashionable the Jackson clan appeared (even LaToya). Reportedly, Janet Jackson requested that the entire family (including his children) wore Versace in MJ's honor as the late Gianni Versace was one of his favorite designers on and off of the stage.

Awww, *another tear*

Source: InStyle

During the Eighties and into the Nineties, Jackson, who died of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles Thursday, became as much a trendsetter for fashion as he was for music. There’s the red leather motorcycle jacket he rocked in the “Beat It” video; the white ankle socks, black fedora and black loafers he wore when he moonwalked (and that walk alone is almost as legendary as Neil Armstrong’s); the military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses he toured in during the “Thriller” era; the white V-neck T-shirt that he always eventually stripped down to onstage, and finally, there was that glove, first worn during a performance of “Billie Jean” during a television special in 1983.

More than two decades later, The King of Pop’s style still inspires the fashion set. For spring 2009, Balmain sent a Jackson-esque military jacket down the runway, and it was picked up by celebrities like Beyoncé Knowles and Rihanna (trend-setting singers resetting a trend). Jackson hits like “Thriller” and “PYT (Pretty Young Thing)” are soundtrack staples for runway shows even still.

The singer was also a shopper — a big one. During the Nineties, he reportedly spent an average of $35 million a year. While making the 2003 documentary “Living With Michael Jackson,” reporter Martin Bashir saw him shell out $6 million for marble chess sets, 10-foot urns and other expensive art objects. In 2005, he blew through $150,000 at Harrods in 30 minutes. And in 2006, he went on an impromptu midnight shopping spree at Topshop’s Oxford Street flagship in London. But by that time, Jackson was hundreds of millions of dollars in debt — and looking to sell Neverland Ranch.

In April, more than 1,000 lots of memorabilia from Neverland were planned for auction, but the sale was canceled after an agreement was reached between Jackson and Julien’s Auctions. Having recently turned 50 and about to embark on yet another tour, Jackson seemed intent on making yet another fashion statement. For his “This Is It” tour, set to start July 13, the pop icon had costumes created specially for him by Crystallized Swarovski Elements. Along with the sets, the ensembles would have featured more than 300,000 crystals in 43 sizes and 27 colors. As Nadja Swarovski, vice president of international communications for Swarovski, told WWD Wednesday: “As the King of Pop, it is only natural for him to be crowned in crystal.”

Long live the King.

 
Source:
Michael Jackson, Style Icon - Fashion News - WWD.com

Like most of the world, I am devastated at the passing of Michael Jackson. He was a cultural icon, playing a memorable part in most, if not all, of our personal lives. I mean, who can actually deny making attempts at doing the Moonwalk (I didn't say "successful" attempts), watching Thriller (and the making of Thriller, that was the best), PERFORMING the choreography in Thriller, anxiously awaiting the premieres of his mini-movie videos, and wanting and/or wearing a Michael Jackson-inspired Thriller-style jacket (I still have one). And let's be honest, anyone who EVER took a dance class in the 80s or 90s performed at least two times to a Michael Jackson song, and my saying "two" is being extremely conservative!

Despite the mass and frequent criticism of his many eccentricities, none of  them can overshadow his talent and influence on the world...the WORLD. Some of my strongest memories of Michael Jackson were going through a period as a kid in which I had to watch Thriller everyday (and I mean EVERYday), going to my very first concert - the Bad tour, and torturing/tramautizing myself by making several attempts to watch The Wiz just to watch him. What?! I was a hardcore Wizard of Oz fan and The Wiz was downright scary!

I wasn't around yet when JFK was assassinated, but like many who were, I  can honestly say that I will always remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard that the King of Pop was gone.



Here are a few pics of MJ - wearing denim of course! R.I.P. Michael, your legacy and HIStory will live on forever.







My favorite MJ tribute courtesy of the Jabbawockeez on America's Best Dance Crew.

With the coming of spring's warm weather, many like to shy away from denim jeans, especially the darker washes because they can make you look too hot (in a bad way, not the good way). Well fortunately for us, there is a great Spring-y alternative that still gives the clean look of darker denim - gray denim!

I LOVE gray denim because it is more versatile than most blue denim not only because it serves as a neutral, but because there are so many variances in hue. You can wear them with whatever color top and/or shoes (although pairing w/gray can looked washed out). Its like having several pairs of white or black jeans!

Jessica Alba


Keri Hilson



Rihanna


Taylor Momsen


Eve


Ciara's all gray blase outfit was saved by her colorful Louis Vuitton sandals:


And for those of you who are expecting, you can get in on the trend too with these J&Company Beverly Rocks Thunder jeans:


Even Michael Jackson is getting in on this trend! LOL, nothing against Michael (I still love him), but I couldn't help myself when I saw this picture...