Julien’s Auctions will hold a high-profile sale of Michael Jackson memorabilia from Dec. 7 to 9 at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi hotel as part of its "Julien’s Celebrity & Pop Culture Experience" event. The auction, titled "Michael Jackson: The Fashion Legacy," will feature iconic items including the red-and-black leather jacket from the "Thriller" music video, the rhinestone-studded glove he wore during his first "moonwalk" performance at "Motown 25" in 1983, and the black shoes from the same performance. A pair of shoes from the "Billie Jean" performance will also be offered.
Martin Nolan, co-founder and executive director of Julien’s Auctions, said the items represent pivotal moments in pop culture history. “It is a great privilege to offer these historic pieces again. The ‘Thriller’ jacket is one of those items the world never stops talking about,” Nolan said. He added that the glove and shoes from the "Motown 25" performance hold special significance as they mark the debut of the moonwalk.
Before the auction, the items will be displayed at the "This Is Thriller" event organized by the Heal Los Angeles foundation, founded by Jackson’s son Prince. The exhibition will take place at the historic Palace Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, where parts of the "Thriller" video were filmed.
The auction follows renewed interest in Jackson’s career after the April release of the biopic "Michael," in which his nephew Jaafar Jackson portrays him. Jackson died in Los Angeles on June 25, 2009, at age 50 from acute propofol intoxication, with other sedatives present in his system. His death was ruled a homicide.
