'This Is It' movie showcases Michael Jackson's fashion comeback [Updated]

At "Michael Jackson This Is It," moviegoers will not see the elaborate costumes created for the tour that never was, bedazzled with 4 million Swarovski crystals and lighted up using LED technology. Those are on display at the O2 Arena in London, where the tour had been scheduled to begin in July, and will go on to New York and Tokyo.

But what they will see, in addition to tough and tender moments that humanize the pop singer and one hell of a music and dance show, is an amazing array of designer outfits Jackson wore to rehearsals.

A black leather pagoda-sleeve jacket and a crystal-trimmed tuxedo designed by the likes of Christophe Decarnin for Balmain, Kris Van Assche for Dior Homme and Tom Ford speak to Jackson's renewed relevance in fashion circles, and the changing relationship between music and fashion.

Jackson became a style icon in the 1980s because of his individual, often theatrical styling choices for the stage -- the single sequined glove, the white socks, the fedora. But his recent comeback was engineered with the help of fashion designers, with Balmain's Decarnin recognizing the retro appeal of tennis-ball-shaped shoulders and over-the-top embroidery, and Jackson appearing in his designs.

Michael Jackson's style to live on in 'This Is It' film

"Michael Jackson's This Is It" is premiering next Tuesday with a red carpet event at Nokia Live. Apparently Rushka Bergman did the styling, using pieces from Balmain's Christopher Decarnin, Dior Homme's Kris Van Assche, John Galliano, Tom Ford and others. Bergman is a contributing editor at Vogue Italia and L'Uomo Vogue. In the film, Jackson is seen rehearsing in a number of amazing outfits. Expect a "Thriller" red motorcycle jacket, a tux jacket studded with crystals, gold sequined trousers--and lots of giganto shoulders of course. I can't wait!

-- Booth Moore

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Photo: "Michael Jackson's This Is It" movie poster. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

'Today' previews Michael Jackson/Christian Audigier clothing line

Before I left the house this morning, the "Today" show ran a segment about the oft-mentioned clothing line Christian Audigier was working on with Michael Jackson before the king of pop's untimely demise.

The collaboration has always made a certain sense -- Jackson was a celebrity guest at the 50th birthday partythe affable Frenchman threw for himself last year, Audigier is reportedly renting the house Jackson died in, and they both seem to appreciate the overly embellished aesthetic.

When -- or even whether -- the line hits store shelves is apparently something that's in the hands of those administering the Jackson estate. I'll try to get more details - and some photos -- of some key pieces. But in the meantime, I've posted the video link after the jump.

Take this as a warning to start saving now for that foil printed umbrella or pair of sequin-studded socks, because for a kitsch memorial to the king of pop, you just can't beat it.

-- Adam Tschorn

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Photo: The day after Michael Jackson's death, people identifying themselves as employees of fashion designer Christian Audigier with a banner bearing photos of Jackson and Audigier outside the Holmby Hills home that Jackson had been renting. Photo credit: Jay Clendenin / Los Angeles Times.

Celebrities' somber style at Michael Jackson tribute

The celebrities who attended Michael Jackson’s memorial service dressed appropriately dark and simple for the somber occasion.  Brooke Shields wore a simple black shift dress, Kobe Bryant, Usher and Magic Johnson donned sharp black suits.  Janet Jackson looked amazing in classic pearls, a 1940s-inspired body-hugging dress and black beret slightly tilted on her head. 

The one guest who seemed to wear what looked more like a Michael Jackson costume was Corey Feldman, who came in a military-style jacket, black fedora and dark sunglasses.  Maybe Feldman’s been dressing like this for years and this is normal for him? Who knows? We haven’t seen too much of him since his reality show “The Two Coreys” stopped airing on the A&E network.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Michael Jackson’s style: It’s all in the details

Fans pay tribute to Michael Jackson in style at Staples Center memorial

Pictures: Michael Jackson's fans turn out in style 

Pictures: Celebrities pay respect at Michael Jackson's memorial

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Photo: Janet Jackson returns to her seat after greeting Usher during the memorial service for the late pop star Michael Jackson in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Credit: Mario Anzuoni, Pool / Associated Press

Michael Jackson's style: It's all in the details

Like his signature moves, Michael Jackson’s style was all about the subtle but quirky details. Fans who flocked to television monitors, churches or Staples Center to watch the world pay tribute to the pop icon today found it easy to interpret Jackson’s style and spirit simply by wearing black fedoras with silver rings on the brim, single gloves and dark, over-sized sunglasses. 

With the '80s back this fall, these accessories hardly look costumey or out of place. Jackson had such an influential look during that decade that it will be hard to decipher next season whether people are dressing with inspiration from the runways or from Jackson. Perhaps they’re not so different.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Fans pay tribute to Michael Jackson in style at Staples Center memorial 

Celebrities’ somber style at Michael Jackson tribute

Pictures: Celebrities pay respect at Michael Jackson's memorial

Pictures: Michael Jackson's fans turn out in style 

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Photo: Outside the gates of Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, Calif., fans Monique Ransome, left, Anna Hanson and Jennifer Hanson watch the Michael Jackson memorial event in L.A. on a television network's monitor. Credit: Michael A. Mariant / Associated Press

Fans pay tribute to Michael Jackson in style at Staples Center memorial

The Michael Jackson fans who gathered around Staples Center and the 11,000 lucky enough to score a ticket and attend the service inside are expressing their love for the late pop singer in a variety of styles from subtle dark loafers and short pants covering a sliver of white trouser socks to large “Michael” belt buckles and oversized reflective aviator sunglasses.

Michael Jackson auction halted

The auction of treasures collected from Michael Jackson's Neverland estate, which the pop star vacated after being acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005, has been halted, according to representatives of the pop star and the Beverly Hills auction house responsible for the sale.

The eclectic assemblage — a catalog of the singer's career and eccentricities — went on view to the public today at the former Robinsons-May building in Beverly Hills, and the auction was set to begin April 22. But today, said Darren Julien, president and chief executive of Julien's Auctions, which had been hired to conduct the sale, "we reached a resolution and we're very happy about. It allows Michael to retain ownership of his possessions. He contracted us to conduct the auction and had a change of mind for whatever reason. And we honor and respect that. We're very happy with the outcome. “

Representatives of Jackson’s production company filed suit last month in L.A. Superior Court to stop the auction, claiming that certain items, including a carousel horse with an inscription from Elizabeth Taylor, are irreplaceable and that Jackson had not signed the auction contract. A judge dismissed that attempt to have the contract ruled invalid, and the company had seeking a preliminary injunction to delay the sale.