The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson [Hardcover]

Michael Bush (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 6, 2012

Through his music, dance, and fashion, Michael Jackson created a mystique that was unique to him and recognized as such throughout the world. For five decades he mesmerized audiences—and for twenty-five of those years Michael Bush was there as Jackson’s designer, stylist, and friend, accompanying the King of Pop on his journey to becoming the King of Style.

While paying homage to the original Billie Jean, Beat It, and Thriller looks that put Jackson on the fashion map, The King of Style also traces their evolution over several decades. Jackson’s penchant for the military silhouette is explored in detail, along with the trade secrets behind the sequined glove and the fencing uniform that he, Michael Bush, and Dennis Tompkins reinvented to make stage magic. It was Bush who dressed Jackson for the final time, before he was buried. Dozens of garments were left unfinished by his shocking death.

The legacy of Michael Jackson lives on. An artist like none other, he transformed everything he touched—from the fabric of his clothes to his legions of fans around the world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Bush worked personally with Michael Jackson for 25 years to create some of the most original and indelible clothing ever worn by a musical performer. Using his professional background in theatrical costume construction and dance, they created thousands of custom artistic pieces that captured the essence of a one-of-a-kind pop star. He lives in Hollywood, CA.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Insight Editions (November 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1608871517
• ISBN-13: 978-1608871513
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.9 x 12.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

For 25 years, Los Angeles based costume designer Michael Bush, together with his partner Dennis Tompkins, who passed away in December 2011, created most of Michael Jackson's personal and concert tour wardrobes -- tens of thousands of original handmade pieces. Their unconventional career provided them with the unique opportunity to work creatively with one of the world's greatest entertainers, and through the medium of clothing help him express the artistic style that made him a cultural icon.

Tompkins began his entertainment career as an ice dancer, and worked in the costume department at ABC on shows such as "General Hospital." Tompkins was working on the 1985 production of "Captain EO," a science fiction short film starring Michael Jackson that was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas, when Michael Jackson discovered Tompkins' talent for making pants cut specifically for dancers. Bush joined the "Captain EO" production soon after Tompkins, and after the project wrapped, the pair began making costumes for Michael Jackson to wear in his short films.

Their collaboration with Michael Jackson grew to become their exclusive focus for many years, and together they created many iconic pop music fashions. Their work includes the costumes worn during the international Bad, Dangerous and HIStory tours, the evolution of the "Thriller" jacket over the years, a patented shoe device Tompkins and Bush invented with Michael Jackson that allowed him to recreate his captivating anti-gravity "lean" move live onstage, hand-stitching the trademark rhinestone gloves, dressing Michael Jackson off the stage, and even creating items for Neverland.

For more information, visit http://dressingmichaeljackson.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! Many new Insights not seen or heard before! October 25, 2012

By Nicole

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book was really great -- esspecially for any MJ fan! This had many insights into his wardrobe and his style. It reveals many iconic items and reveals the story behind them, for example the arm band -- I won't reveal the real answer. Of the letters CTE during the History Period.... So many things I thought I knew, were confirmed or denied by this book and many things I assumed as well. It has loads of pictures and drawings, and also explains why the author had all the pictures and drawings. One of my favorites that I will reveal is about the importance of putting all the tour outfits in exact order, otherwise, half way through, by the time Beat it was on set...his pants had to be almost two inches smaller around the waist because by that time, he had already lost 5 pounds of water weight from performing!! No magic in pants falling down! ha ha - It also explains where many of the designs were influenced from like a movie...or historical figure. And also little tricks on the clothing to make it look perfect or move a certain way like his tie, but don't touch the shoes!!! Or innovative ideas like silver boots, or eccentric ideas of his Crown.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Visually Dazzling and a Delicious Read! October 24, 2012

By Olivia A. Rupprecht

Format:Hardcover

Dressing Michael Jackson is quite the coffee table book, so sumptious you just want to eat up each and every page. But what you don't expect are for the pages to sing with a beautifully told story that is as much about integrity and friendship and loyalty as it is about the iconic style of a brilliant artist and the key players behind the smoke and mirrors of fame. Intelligent and visceral, a yummy must-read; an elegant statement of literary design.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any fan October 24, 2012

By Wanda L. Polnitz

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Michael Bush did it he talks about all of Michael's inconic styles and how they came about, I got the book this afternoon and even though I didn't feel good possibly the flu, I almost finished the book. He tells great stories about how Michael would give him a riddle or a book and say a few words are just say click and how he would interpret this as to what look Michael was looking for. I really liked this book because it takes you into Michael's artistic side of a true artist. Michael loved his clothes to look like pieces of art and Michael Bush shows you this. If you don't want to read any trash books but would like to read a masterpiece about a friendship and trust between Michael Jackson and his dresser, read his one, the pictures are magnificant and the book great.