Tips on how to cop the matching black and white androgynous style of these two superstars from Diana’s 1981 TV special.
Michael Jackson and Diana Ross in “Diana” (1981)
The relationship between Michael Jackson and Diana Ross goes all the way back to 1969 when she was the goddess Supreme and he was the baby of the Jackson 5. Upon moving from Gary, Indiana to Los Angeles, Michael spent a lot of time with Diana, even moving into her posh Hollywood Hills home for a bit while his father house-hunted. She acted as his surrogate mother, took him to art museums, encouraged him to paint and draw, and became a great positive influence musically and culturally. They shared the stage and screen many times during the 1970s, from numerous television programs to the critically-panned but ultimately beloved cinematic adaptation of The Wiz. In March of 1981, ‘Diana’ aired, a TV special which combined Diana Ross and friends concert footage and in-studio live performances. At the time, Michael was in between 1979’s Off the Wall and Thriller, from ’82. So while he was indeed a superstar, he had not yet hit the unimaginable professional heights that were just a year away.
About the Look
Michael’s outfit here bridges the divide between the looks her wore on his first two solo albums — the formal, disco ball finery of Off the Wall and Thriller‘s slouchy white suit. His crystal-studded shirt with the sheer sleeves is by Beverly Hills shirtmaker Mr. Alex, and it’s the same one he wore on the “Motown 25” special in ’83 (yes, pop stars actually repeated clothes back in the day). We love how the usually glamour gown-wearing Diana matches Michael head-to-toe, right down to the little white bow-tie. It’s an under-the-radar moment in androgynous rock ‘n’ pop dressing that looks so on-point in 2016.
jacket: Rag & Bone | blouse: ChloƩ | clutch: Anya Hindmarch | trousers: Alexander McQueen | necklace: Mimi So | socks: Hue | shoes: Marc Jacobs