MICHAEL JACKSON 

A black satin jacket with a stand-up collar, fastened at the front and trimmed with red and gold piping, the sleeves of which are entirely covered with a design of pearls, rhinestones, multicoloured cords and metal discs, forming a network of lines and geometric patterns highly characteristic of certain of Michael Jackson’s outfits from the late 1990s. The inside bears a ‘Duangjai Bis Haute Couture’ label, confirming that it was a bespoke creation outside the usual costume-makers Tompkins & Bush.

In his letter of provenance, Frank Cascio, who recounts twenty-five years spent alongside Michael Jackson in the book *My Friend Michael*, describes the piece as a “black satin custom jacket with heavily beaded sleeves” owned and worn by Michael Jackson, specifying that it bears the “Duangjai Bis” and a gold top button, and that it was worn by the singer on numerous occasions in the early 2000s. 

Photographs from the period show Michael Jackson, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, wearing black stand-up collar jackets with sleeves heavily decorated with beads and rhinestones, in a style more ‘couture’ than traditional stage costumes, for private outings, informal appearances or trips to Asia. The aesthetic of this particular model clearly belongs to this family of garments, although no precise photo match has yet been established with a specific dated event.