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Michael Jackson's fashion sense was as singular as his musical style and dance moves. Now, Jackson's longtime costumer Michael Bush has revealed the secrets behind the King of Pop's meticulously crafted, regal rock-star look - and an intimate glimpse into the man himself - in a colorful new book, "The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson."
The zipper-covered "Beat It" jacket. The military-inspired coats with their epaulets, crests and insignias. And, of course, that glittery glove. Millions imitated his pegged pants and penny loafers, a fedora cocked just so.
Michael Bush, Michael Jackson's costume designer said, "Michael was very hands-on when it came to working with his costumes. He was very there like on a daily, hourly basis with it. And it was like Michael's concept was I want the fashion designers in the world, the big conglomerates, I want them to copy me. I don't want to wear basically what's out there. I want to push my individuality and being that my music's me, my look should be me."
And there was an added challenge. Jackson's stage costumes were designed to display his dance moves, so Bush was treated to regular private dance recitals to inform their work.
Michael Bush said, "Michael would sing the beat and the clothes had to show you the beat. So the clothes had to really extend his, the way he danced, his dance style, so that's why everything was pretty form-fitting because of his locking, popping type style of dancing. If you had these baggy clothes on, like for instance what the rappers are wearing, like Mark would say I'd be in here working my hind end off and you couldn't see anything besides all this fabric. I need you to see the art of the dance."
Bush worked with Jackson until the pop star's death in June 2009. Though he wasn't in charge of the costumes for the ill-fated "This Is It" comeback tour, Jackson's longtime costume designer created ensembles for seven songs, including a reprise of his "Billie Jean" outfit with its loafers and spangled socks.
Michael Bush said, "Michael's favorite part, especially in 'HIStory,' was military uniforms. So that transcended into his rock and roll mentality of what a military uniform would look like if an officer were to wear it if he was a musician."
Bush will exhibit some of Jackson's performance outfits in South America, Europe and Asia before releasing his book on Oct. 30.