Chapman Couture: Remembering a King

Michael Jackson was best known as the "King of Pop," however, he was much more than that. Michael Jackson was the king of dance. Michael Jackson was the king of style. Michael Jackson was the king of "cool," and his death marks the end of an era.

Michael Jackson always stood out from other artists not only because of his talent, but because of his cutting-edge style. When remembering his life and career, one cannot help but be in awe of his fashion-forward outfits.

Looking through photos from Jackson's career, one can clearly see that Jackson was always in the forefront of the fashion scene. His style shows more than just his creativity, it shows that he was not afraid to stand out. It shows that Jackson was not afraid to express himself freely. It shows that he was not afraid to take a stand and be different, and this is something that we can all admire.

You see... to me, fashion is more than just what we wear. Fashion is a statement of who we are, what we believe in. Fashion is art, an art that we personally parade on the streets on a daily basis. Michael Jackson's fashion is one that we can pay homage to and emulate, not just because of the clothes, but because of the individuality and uniqueness that the clothes represent.

Although often outrageous, Jackson made his style undeniably his own. His outfits inspired the eras during which he lived, and will continue to inspire leaders in the fashion scene for years to come.

As a child star, Michael Jackson owned the "bell-bottoms and an afro" look and was one of the key influencers in driving this style into an international trend.

In the 1970's, Jackson continued the bell-bottom look, but spiced it up with fringed shirts and platform shoes. His creative combination quickly caught on and became the staple outfit for the 70's. To pay homage to this look and borrow a bit Jackson's creativity today, try loose-fitting shirts paired with a suede vest.

Jackson's debut as an adult artist with the album "Off the Wall" brought a sleeker look to the scene. Remembering Jackson in this era brings sights of tuxedo jackets, pegged pants, black shoes and stark white socks to mind. Ever suave, this look exemplified Jackson's confidence. To add a retro Michael Jackson twist to your wardrobe, try a black suit with a slightly-unbuttoned collared white shirt. Top it off with shiny black shoes and a fedora hat and you're set.

Although he was in the forefront of the fashion scene his whole life, Michael Jackson's style is best remembered with the debut of "Thriller." This album took fashion to a new level. His signature red leather jacket with its zippered details, tight black parachute pants, mirrored aviator sunglasses, and of course, signature white sequined glove, encompassed the spirit of the 80's. To echo this look today, sport aviators with a custom-fit leather jacket.