The jacket Michael Jackson wore in his ‘Thriller’ video is hitting the auction block. The late singer’s black and red calf leather jacket featuring silver buckles at cuff, red silk lining, trapunto stitched collar, snap front closure and signature winged shoulders went on display Thursday.
Among the most recognisable and famous garments of the 20th century, Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ jacket sparked a 1980s fashion craze. It is expected to bring up to $400,000 during Julien’s Auction of music memorabilia on June 25, 2011.
Jackson autographed the jacket as a gift to his longtime costume designers, Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush. He wanted them to use the small calfskin jacket as a template for his future concert fashions. A portion of the proceeds from its sale will benefit the Shambala Preserve, where Jackson’s two Bengal tigers, Thriller and Sabu, have been living since the pop star left his Neverland ranch in 2006.
