From child prodigy to superstar, Michael Jackson's life and death were fraught with fame, controversy and drama. One of the most influential musicians of all time, his inimitable sense of style had youngsters trying to ape his look from the '60s right up until the present.
Here's a look at some of the most popular trends the King of Pop set in motion.
Teen icon
Photographs: Reuters
Michael Jackson started performing with four of his brothers as part of family group The Jackson 5 in 1968, at the age of 10. The youngest member of the band, his colourful bell bottoms, cute afro hairdo and sweet voice quickly singled him out as the hot favourite.
The leather effect
Photographs: Cover of album Bad
Michael embarked upon a solo career in 1971 and with the onset of the '80s, his status as a superstar was firmly sealed. True to the celeb image, he began to sport leather jackets and his curly hair was now slick with gel. His Thriller avatar is immortalised in our memories.
Moonwalking mania
Photographs: Gary Hershorn/Reuters
As the pop star dealt out hit after hit and began mesmerising audiences with his dance moves, his penchant for cropped pants didn't go unnoticed -- they made it convenient to focus on his feet when he performed his legendary moonwalk on stage.
Capping it off
Photographs: Still from music video Smooth Criminal
MJ also made it clear that he liked to cap things off with fedora hats -- he first sported one in his music video Smooth Criminal and he continued to favour them for two decades after, right up until his death.
Signature shades
Photographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
He made Ray Ban's aviator glares a part of his persona too -- ever recollect seeing him in any other frames? Probably not!
Military Michael
Photographs: Ho New/Reuters
The early '90s saw Jacko flaunt military-inspired flamboyant garments on various occasions -- they went well with his larger-than-life image.
King of bling
Photographs: Havakuk Levison/Reuters
And of course, who can ever forget those crystal and metal-chained numbers, complete with matching glove! As the moonwalker glided from one outrageous style to another, the world went ga-ga trying to ape every trend.
Pleasing the fans
But regardless of every imitation, of course, fans loved it best when their idol made the effort to please them -- like the time he donned a sherwani for the Bollywood Awards in New York!
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