Michael Bush appears on the TODAY Show to discuss "The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson"

Just this morning, author and designer Michael Bush appeared on the TODAY Show on NBC to share a few costumes from Michael Jackson's collection as well as to discuss the upcoming auction taking place in Los Angeles.

In the video clip below, Michael joins Martin Nolan from Julien's Auction House to share information on the Beverly Hills exhibit which starts on Monday, November 19th. The auction, featuring over 400 pieces from Michael Bush's 25-year career as Michael Jackson's official designer, will be on sale starting December 2, 2012.

Pick up a copy of The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson for a visual collection of the costumes which helped put Michael Jackson at the top of the list of music icons who continue to inspire fashion trends.

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“The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson” Exclusive Hard Rock Cafe European Book Signing Tour Announced

Longtime Costume Designer and Friend, Michael Bush To Appear at Hard Rock Cafes across Europe for Exclusive Book Signing Events and Unveiling of Michael Jackson Costumes

October 30, 2012 - November 14, 2012

Michael Bush, longtime costume designer and personal friend of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson and Hard Rock Cafe Europe announce an exclusive book signing tour to begin Tuesday, October 30th, 2012 through Wednesday, November 14th, 2012. The tour will give Michael Jackson fans the first opportunity to purchase the highly anticipated book before they are in European stores next year and get the chance to meet Michael Jackson’s fashion designer Michael Bush in person. A display of exclusive Michael Jackson costumes featured in the book will also be on display for one day only at Hard Rock Cafe locations. Fans will have the unique opportunity to also have Bush personally autograph their book.  The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson, is the first art-driven book about the costumes, apparel, shoes and accessories created and worn by Michael Jackson includes hundreds of lavish photographs and a behind-the-scenes-look into the process of collaborating with the world’s most legendary and powerful entertainer of our time. The book includes personal stories from the author, never before seen photographs and a fascinating look into the world of fashion that only Jackson could have created.

For more than 24 years, Michael Bush, along with his partner Dennis Tompkins worked personally with Michael Jackson in creating some of the most original and recognizable clothing ever worn by a musical performer. They created thousands of custom artistic pieces that captured the inspiration, direction and creativity of the King of Pop. 

The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson European Book Tour schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, October 30, 2012         Hard Rock Cafe LONDON        9am-12noon
                    150 Old Park Lane
                    Tel: +44 207 514 1700
   
Monday, November 5, 2012       Hard Rock Cafe ROME        6pm-9pm
                    Via Vittoria Veneto 62a
                    Tel: +39 06 420 30511

Wednesday, November 7, 2012    Hard Rock Cafe PARIS        3pm-6pm
                    14 Boulevard Montmartre
                    Tel: +33 1 5324 6000

Thursday, November 8, 2012        Hard Rock Cafe AMSTERDAM    3pm-6pm
                    Max Euweplein 57-61
                    1017 MA Amsterdam
                    Tel: +31 20 523 7625
           
Friday, November 9, 2012        Hard Rock Cafe BRUSSELS        2pm-5pm
                    Grand-Place 12a
                    1000 City of Brussels
                    Tel: +32 25 46 1660

Monday, November 12, 2012        Hard Rock Cafe BERLIN        3pm-6pm
                    Kurfurstendamm 224
                    Tel: +49 30 884 620

Wednesday, November 14, 2012    Hard Rock Cafe COPENHAGEN    10am-1pm
                    Vesterbrogade, 3
                    1630 Copenhagan
                    Tel: +45 3 312 4333

There will be a limited number of books at each location for purchase and autograph. First come, first serve. Fans can arrive at the Hard Rock Cafe in their city early to purchase if desired. Fashion designer Michael Bush, will share his own personal stories and take photographs while on–site. The books at each event will give fans the chance to buy the book before it hits bookstores anywhere in the world.

"Michael Jackson was the world's greatest entertainer. His fashion sense and ideas of design took me on an extraordinary journey for almost 25 years. There was nothing we couldn't do and Michael was full of surprises. We travelled the world together and created designs and fashions that have become iconic. I always say I educated Michael and he educated me through the process," said author and designer Michael Bush. "Michael loved military style, Egyptian styles and the image of royalty as you can see in many of his most famous costumes and personal outfits. When we designed, we designed for show time, no matter what the occasion. When Michael was alive he always talked about us doing a book like this. My hope is that by producing King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson, fans and fashion enthusiasts around the world can now share in the excitement and surprises I was able to live every day working with the King of Pop, Michael Jackson."

Celebrities and fashion luminaries provided endorsements including famous London milliner Phillip Treacy and GRAMMY award winning artist Celine Dion.

ABOUT MICHAEL BUSH:

For 25 years, Los Angeles based costume designer Michael Bush, along with his partner Dennis Tompkins, created Michael Jackson’s personal and concert tour wardrobes which equated to tens of thousands of original pieces. Traveling the world with the music icon afforded Bush unprecedented opportunities into the private and professional life of Jackson. Tompkins met Jackson on the set of “Captain EO” and it was shortly thereafter that Bush joined the production. After the production wrapped the pair began making costumes for Jackson to wear in his music videos.  Their unconventional career provided them the unique opportunity to work creatively with one of the world’s greatest entertainers and through the medium of clothing helped him express his artistic style and music which in turn created a cultural icon loved worldwide.  The pair also worked with Britney Spears, Denzel Washington and Elizabeth Taylor but it was the decade long relationship with Michael Jackson that provided the inspiration and opportunities which influenced the fashion world forever.

ABOUT HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL

With a total of 178 venues in 55 countries, including 139 cafes and 18 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya, Bali, Macau, Penang, Singapore, Punta Cana, Panama, Cancun and Vallarta.  Additional hotel and casino projects planned to open include Riviera Maya in 2013 and Abu Dhabi in 2014.  Additional announced hotel and casino projects include Aruba, Hungary, Northfield Park, Shenzhen and Haikou.  Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.

New York Comic-con Recap

What a whirlwind week in New York City. We had so many great author signings and events taking place at our New York Comic-con booth. With lines forming down the aisles for each one, it was definitely a successful event for us.

Here's a quick recap of our events with some photographs of our authors, many whom traveled to be there to promote their books.

Friday, October 12

Fringe fans lined up to meet Tara Bennett and Paul Terry as they signed NYCC exclusive posters for the 2013 release, Fringe: September's Notebook.

Official Facebook Page for "Fringe: September's Notebook"

Michael Bush signed copies of his book, The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. Sitting in front of the display case featuring four of Michael Jackson's costumes along with the famous glove, there was an amazing turn out of fans who were dressed up in their favorite Michael Jackson inspired costumes.

Official Facebook Page for "The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson"

Saturday, October 13

Scott Campbell stopped by our booth to sign copies of Amazing Everything and sold prints of some of his illustrations. It was great to see people recognizing him as he has become quite the name (and face) among the video game / art world thanks to his work with Double Fine Productions.

Official Facebook Page for "Amazing Everything: The Art of Scott C."

Michael Jackson fans were shocked to see the famous glove on display in our booth when Michael Bush arrived to sign copies of The King of Style for those attending NYCC. Known for attendees in costumes, this was a fun mix of pop culture and fashion for all to enjoy.

Sunday, October 14

Brandon T. Snider hopped off the airplane in time to join us on our last day at New York Comic-con, signing copies of The Dark Knight Manual and entertaining the crowd.
Official Facebook Page for "The Dark Knight Manual: Tools, Weapons, Vehicles & Documents from the Batcave"

Celebrating the King of Style

Michael Jackson was born August 29, 1958. Today, we celebrate his life with a feature about our upcoming book, The King of Style, a fascinating look at the intersection of music and fashion, as well as an homage to Michael Jackson, whose brilliant fusing of costume, personality, and performance created the iconic image. 

The King of Pop needs little introduction. Arguably the most successful entertainer of all time, Michael Jackson owes his luminous legacy not only to his inspiring music, but also to his iconic fashion sense. In the 1980s, the formative era of music videos, Michael’s dazzling visual presentations impacted the world unlike any performer, before or since.

Through his music, dance, and fashion, Michael Jackson created a mystique that was unique to him and recognized as such throughout the world. For five decades he mesmerized audiences—and for twenty-five of those years Michael Bush was there as Jackson’s designer, stylist, and friend, accompanying the King of Pop on his journey to becoming the King of Style.Michael Bush and his partner, Dennis Tompkins, joined Jackson during the making of Bad, and the duo quickly became central in developing the looks that made him a style sensation. As their professional relationship developed, so did their friendship. Bush was there before and after every performance, and his personal stories reveal the man behind the public persona. Before there was “Billie Jean,” there was the child star of the Jackson Five, setting rhinestones in his show-clothes by hand. Jackson grew up to become a master of fusing fashion and performance, inspiring his collaborators with intriguing riddles and unrelenting confidence.

While paying homage to the original Billie Jean, Beat It, and Thriller looks that put Jackson on the fashion map,The King of Style also traces their evolution over several decades. Jackson’s penchant for the military silhouette is explored in detail, along with the trade secrets behind the sequined glove and the fencing uniform that he, Bush, and Tompkins reinvented to make stage magic. It was Michael Bush who dressed Jackson for the final time, before he was buried. Dozens of garments were left unfinished by his shocking death.

The legacy of Michael Jackson lives on. An artist like none other, he transformed everything he touched—from the fabric of his clothes to his legions of fans around the world. 

The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson
by Michael Bush
Available for pre-order, in stores in October

Michael Bush worked personally with Michael Jackson for twenty-five years to create some of the most original and indelible clothing ever worn by a musical performer. Using his professional background in theatrical costume construction and dance, Bush and his partner, Dennis Tompkins, created thousands of custom artistic pieces that captured the essence of a one-of-a-kind pop star. He lives in Hollywood, CA.