The biggest news story of the past couple weeks (and probably the whole year) is the death of pop icon, music mogul, and unparalleled entertainer Michael Jackson.  As a penguin of the 80′s, this dramatic and unexpected event has rocked my world a little bit.  I won’t go on too long about MJ’s 40+ year career, his masterful songwriting, or his music’s ability to unite people of all races and cultures around a love for music, for energy, and for other people.  Since this is a style blog and I am The Style Penguin, I will honor Michael in a way befitting of my expertise.  After all, he was as unique a pioneer in the world of fashion as he was in music.

Michael Jackson’s style evolved over the years, almost in precise parallel with the growth of his career, the subsequent changes in his lifestyle and the way in which he was treated by the world.  The Jackson 5 era spanned such a young period for MJ that his style wasn’t his own, much like everything in his life at the time.  Even after his debut solo album, ‘Off the Wall’ came out in 1979, Michael was still under the watchful eye  and control of management and stylists.  Shortly thereafter, he became so famous and powerful that he began doing and wearing whatever he damn well pleased.

Michael Jackson’s reign as the KING OF POP which really peaked and held in the 80s, turned him into a king from a fashion standpoint as well.  His wardrobe choices for both on and off stage were ostentatious and regal-esque, many sequined, gold-chained, studded, pieces literally fit for royalty… and only royalty of a foreign country where jewels and excess is valued.  He looked like an ancient Egyptian king. Actually, I would contest that he began dressing more like a prince.  A rebellious, young prince flaunting his power over the kingdom… with a nose up to his dad (the King) as if to say “I do what I want.”

The amazing thing about this style choice is that it was somehow not seen or taken as a costume when Michael was the one wearing it.  Why don’t you try dressing up like Barnum, Bailey, or either of the Wringling Brothers and see if you can walk outside with confidence?  But look at MJ workin’ it – head-to-toe rhinestones, blacked out aviators, and a single silver glove. On the red carpet no less.

As the years progressed, the prince turned into a real king and the wardrobe followed suit.  The strong colors of black and red, contrasted by the gold embellishments and sparkle factor remained… but the look became refined, less costume-like and more of an identity.  It was as though Michael had become the man who he was once just ‘playing’ in an exaggerated game of dress-up.

In his last press conference in which Michael announced his final tour, ‘This Is It’, he was dressed in black fitted jeans and this shiny, satin fabric jacket with metallic embellishments.  Gold has been replaced with the more humbled  and refined silver. Real metal accessories are now embroidery-based.  The military style markings on his sleeves denote an element that he was quite fond of and proud to wear, as I’d say MJ’s style could be seen as a sort of cross between a Las Vegas showgirl… and a distinguished Army general. You can see this influence in the images from the 80′s above, as this characteristic of his style carried throughout his entire career.  A cross between a king and the men who would protect him – Jackson’s style allowed him to assume both roles.

Perhaps I feel a penguinic connection with Michael Jackson because his song made me feel so comfortable about bing both black AND white.  Either way, dissecting the fashion of my all-time favorite entertainer is really enjoyable.  Maybe I should go through each and every one of his fashion quirks and contributions, and discuss them one by one.   It’s too bad the sparkled glove didn’t catch on to the masses.