Michael Jackson’s influence on pop culture extended far beyond his music. From the instantly recognizable jackets featured in “Thriller” and “Beat It” to the white-and-blue look from “Smooth Criminal” and his signature glove, his stage wardrobe became an essential part of his identity.
Now, Seattle fans can get a closer look at some of those legendary pieces at the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP).
MOPOP is presenting Michael Jackson: The Fashion Legacy, a limited-time exhibit featuring more than a dozen artifacts associated with some of the performer’s most memorable career moments. The three-week showcase is being presented in partnership with Julien’s Auctions and runs Aug. 22 through Sept. 7.
Among the items on display are the shoes Jackson wore when he famously introduced the moonwalk to the world during Motown 25. Visitors can also see the suit from the “Smooth Criminal” music video, an embellished “Thriller” jacket worn onstage during Jackson’s Bad tour and a glove featured in a Vibe magazine photo shoot.
The collection offers a glimpse into how Jackson used clothing, accessories and choreography to create an instantly recognizable performance style. His distinctive silhouette became so closely associated with his music that many of his outfits remain cultural touchstones decades later.
MOPOP describes the exhibit as a celebration of the “spectacle and showmanship” that defined Jackson’s career, highlighting stage-worn costumes and accessories from pivotal moments in his rise to global superstardom.
The exhibit is included with general museum admission, giving visitors a chance to experience the collection as part of a broader visit to MOPOP.
MOPOP is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit runs through Sept. 7.
