Costume Designers Talk About costumes they developed with MJ
Corpo: In an interview to People magazine, Michael's longtime costume designers Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins talked about the costumes they developed together with Michael for the 'This Is It' concerts. Tompkins and Michael Bush worked on creating an “over the top” wardrobe for the tour.
“He’s still a terrific dancer,” says costume designer Dennis Tompkins.
On his final night of rehearsal, Michael...
“was doing the moonwalk. Everything!” says Bush. “He did the whole show full out at performance level. He was like, ‘When are we going to London? Let’s go. I’m ready.’”
He was also on a creative high.
“Working with Michael for 25 years we had never seen his creativity at this level,” says Bush. “It was like where is this coming from? I get goose bumps thinking about what this visual was going to look like.”
Bush and Tompkins gave People an exclusive look at the show costumes. Here’s an inside look at what you might have seen in London:
1. A THRILLING JACKET: They re-created Michael’s iconic looks for each of the 26 songs he was to perform, but the singer asked, “How can we take it to the next level?” Bush recalls. The solution? Fiber-optic lights sewn onto his red leather “Thriller” jacket, for a surprise light show timed to the music.
2. OLD FAVES: Michael was going to back his signature crystal glove and socks, which caught the light — and assured that even fans in the back could see him dance. “He was so excited to perform,”says Bush.
3. A MILITARY SALUTE: For a rendition of “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” they created a “regimented, military” look.
4. BELTS AND WHISTLES: Tompkins had to make sure items like a jeweled belt would fit Michael’s slight 27 3/4 inch waist, but says his weight was not an issue: “He was a bit smaller, but he was always thin.”
5. MAJOR DANCE MOVES: Michael’s new Billie Jean suit held 7.5 lbs. of Swarovski crystals and 60 lights, so the star made sure he could do a spin before signing off. “The dance came first; costumes were secondary,” says Bush. “And his moves were sharper than ever.”
01. WANNA BE STARTIN'
02. SCREAM
03. BREAK OF DAWN
04. THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL
05. MAN IN THE MIRROR
06. DIRTY DIANA
07. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT US
08. DANGEROUS
09. BILLIE JEAN
10. THRILLER
11. I JUST CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU
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