When Michael recorded We Are The World with a host of stars back in 1985, the sign on the door were clear, ‘Leave your egos at the door’ and everyone adhered to this notion. But in Michael’s eyes, that didn’t mean that you couldn’t look anything short of fantastic.
For Iconic Issue 14, we chose to feature an image that captures Michael in a moment of musical bliss and this image was the perfect choice. Adorned in a velvet jacket with gold embellishment, the image is majestic and regal. But what of the jacket? Who made it and where is it now?
At the time of recording, much of Michael’s regal attire was created by the legendary Bill Whitten, who created outfits for Michael that went on to become some of the most famous pieces to ever grace the entertainment industry. The Grammys 84 Jacket? Bill Whitten. Bad Tour first leg? Bill Whitten. Victory tour outfits, J5, Jacksons, Naval, Militant, Royal and many of the outfits pre 1987 that defined the image of Michael Jackson…yes, you guessed it! Bill Whitten. But there was another designer who also created for Michael during this period, and this WATW jacket was created by the designer, Ted Shell.
Shell was instrumental in creating alternative looks for Michael and this jacket was indeed one of them.
As you can see from the sketch, Shell planned the entire outfit that Michael was to wear during the audio and visual recording segments for We Are The World, including the signature glove (which was most probably designed by Bill Whitten). Michael did however wear another jacket during the session, which is now on display in Ireland at the Newbridge Silverware Museum.
Shell also created costumes for the dancers on Captain Eo and some of the sketches were sold at auction in 2011. Other notable signature outfits included some….unique looks…remember these?
The stamp that you’re seeing on the designs is from the Costume Designers Guild, who boast a large roster of members, including the designer of the Smooth Criminal Suit!
But back to our jacket! Where is it now? Well you’ll be pleased
to know it was last seen in New York at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum where it’s displayed finely with the gloves from the Bad outfit.
As you can see from the image here, it still appears in perfect condition and is acknowledged as an important part of Musical history after USA for Africa hit the number 1 spot on 19 charts with ‘We Are The World’ and has to date sold 9.5 million copies around the world.
So now when you look at Iconic Issue 14, you can rest safe in the knowledge that you know all about the origins of the cover outfit…..And don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz!
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is in Cleveland, Ohio, not New York (although they have been known to do inductions there). I saw this jacket there last summer. Whether it is still there, I cannot say: the staff told us that everything they have of Michael’s is on loan from the estate, and they can reclaim it any time. We learned this because the Bad outfit, and the torn Thriller jacket that had previously been on display there, were gone.
I love and appreciate all of your work!
i think what they are referring to is the fact that the jacket was on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in NYC, which closed in 2010 after only being open for about a year. I’m glad to hear it was apparently returned to the Cleveland location, though. I was worried about where it went after the NYC location closed.
I think it’s one of the most stunning jackets he ever wore and that’s saying a lot considering Michael’s massively beautiful and brilliant wardrobe.