Michael Jackson's Iconic Attire Headed to Auction, Estimated to Fetch Over $1 Million
Legendary gloves, loafers, and the 'Thriller' jacket worn by the King of Pop will be offered in a December auction in Abu Dhabi.
Four of Michael Jackson's most iconic pieces of stage wear are set to go under the hammer, with Julien's Auctions estimating the collection could fetch more than $1 million. The auction house, based in Los Angeles, unveiled the items on Wednesday ahead of a December sale in Abu Dhabi.
The collection features a rhinestone-studded glove and loafers that Jackson wore when he debuted his signature Moonwalk dance on the 1983 "Motown 25" television special. Also included are the red-and-black leather jacket and a pair of loafers he sported in the "Thriller" music video.
"The Thriller jacket is the one the world has never stopped talking about, and we are thrilled to unveil it alongside the rhinestone-studded glove Michael Jackson wore when he debuted the moonwalk," said Martin Nolan, co-founder and executive director of Julien's Auctions. He added that the items represent "a moment that changed pop culture forever."
The "Motown 25" glove is described as the "Holy Grail of Michael Jackson memorabilia" and carries the highest pre-auction estimate, between $600,000 and $800,000. This glove was previously sold in November 2009 at Julien's for $430,000 to Hong Kong businessman Hoffman Ma.
The black leather Florsheim Como moc-toe tassel loafers worn by Jackson during rehearsals for the "Motown 25" special, where he first performed "Billie Jean" and unveiled the Moonwalk, are estimated to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000.
The "Thriller" video jacket, made of black and candy-red calf leather, features silver cuff buckles, a red silk lining, a trapunto-stitched collar, and winged shoulders. It bears a "Marc Laurent Paris" label and is inscribed inside with "To Bush and Dennis All My Love Michael Jackson." The estimated value for this item is available upon request. This jacket is one of two created for the video; the other was intentionally damaged for zombie scenes and is held by Jackson's estate.
Also from the "Thriller" era, a pair of black leather Florsheim loafers, size 9.5, are estimated at $30,000 to $50,000. Each sole is marked and inscribed by hand with "MJ Thriller Shoes." These loafers are accompanied by a letter dated December 18, 1983, from Jackson to the video's choreographer, Michael Peters, expressing his appreciation for their collaborative work.
The auction, titled "Michael Jackson: The Fashion Legacy Auction," is part of Julien's Celebrity & Pop Culture Experience. It will take place live at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi from December 7-9, 2026. Prior to the sale, the items will tour across the United States, Japan, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.