Parachute Exhibition: Michael Jackson wear

Parachute is a wear brand from the 80s created in 1977 in Montreal by American architect Harry Parnass and British clothing designer Nicola Pelly.

Back then the brand reflected to be marginal, rebellious and underground.

“The success of Parachute is architectural silhouettes, structured, military forms, futuristic, androgynous and minimalist fashion and the fact of wanting to dress differently,” explains Stéphane Le Duc, associate curator of the exhibition. “Parachute is also synonymous with comfortable clothing. They were among the first to create t-shirts and cotton wool with their logo. The name Parachute is the idea of throwing yourself into the void, of taking risks.”

“We talk today about in-store experience, but they understood it as early as 1980. We arrived in a privileged place, underground and we had the impression of being in an art gallery. When they opened the 10,000-square-foot boutique in Soho, in this new new new new artists’ neighborhood in New York City, it was truly a destination everyone wanted to visit! Madonna frequented the shop, Mick Jagger danced on the stands, Andy Warhol was a regular. We listened to music, all this created the Parachute myth with the clothes that people loved and this bold and avant-garde side, “recalls Stéphane Le Duc, who carefully kept some Parachute clothes bought in the 80s.

The last part of the exhibition reproduces the spirit of the shops. There is also an interview with Harry Parnass, co-founder of Parachute, who died in January 2021.

Madonna, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Duran Duran wore the brand. And of course the King of Pop, Michael Jackson also purchased few items from the store.

You might recognise one of the jacket which he wore in the 80s to promote Thriller and was also on the cover of singles such as “Beat It” or “P.Y.T”.

An original copy of the jacket is on display at the exhibition with mentions of Michael Jackson:

The Exhibition about the brand “Parachute: Subversive Fashion of the 80s” is taking place at McCord Museum from November 19, 2021 to April 24, 2022. For more information, click here.

SOURCE: Parachute