The jacket will headline the Michael Jackson: The Fashion Legacy Evening Auction, scheduled for December 7 at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The event forms part of Julien’s Auctions’ inaugural Celebrity & Pop Culture Experience, which will run from December 7 to 9.
Ahead of the sale, international previews are planned at the Palace Theatre in Los Angeles, as well as in Japan and Bahrain, giving fans and collectors opportunities to view items associated with the late pop star.
The Thriller jacket is among Jackson’s most recognisable fashion pieces, reflecting the distinctive style that helped define his public image. The music video, released in 1983 and directed by John Landis, became a landmark in popular music through its combination of horror-inspired storytelling, elaborate choreography and cinematic production.
Designed by Deborah Nadoolman Landis, the jacket’s bold red colour and black detailing became closely associated with Jackson’s performance and the video’s enduring cultural influence. Its design has since been widely imitated, making it one of the most recognisable outfits in music history.
The jacket previously sold for $1.8 million at a Julien’s Auctions sale in 2011. Its new expected price of more than $10 million would represent a substantial increase, highlighting the continuing demand for memorabilia linked to influential musicians.
Other items associated with Jackson’s career are also expected to attract collectors. They include his famous white rhinestone glove, associated with his performance of “Billie Jean” during the 1983 television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. The performance helped popularise the moonwalk, which became one of his signature dance moves.
Jackson, who died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, remains an influential figure in global music and fashion. His music continues to reach new audiences, while clothing and personal items connected to his career retain considerable interest among collectors.
The December auction is expected to draw international attention to the commercial and cultural legacy of an artist whose influence extended beyond music to dance, fashion and visual storytelling.
If the jacket reaches its anticipated price, the sale would further demonstrate the enduring value of memorabilia associated with one of pop music’s most recognisable figures.
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