The King of Pop may have passed, but his style will remain in fashion. Michael Jackson who died last week was a huge influence on the music industry but his impact through fashion and style was just as influential. To this day, MJ is referenced by fashion houses across the globe as he is one celebrity with style originals- making him a great style-leader.

He has turned the most basic clothing items and accessories into huge trends and sensations, some lasting to this decade. Jackson’s memorable fashion trends- the singular white glove, cropped trousers and white socks and infamous Thriller red leather jacket- are still inspiration for designers today and have been incorporated to some of the most famous designer collections.

Much of what made Michael Jackson a fashion icon was that is signature styles were simple, and simple on their own. Jackson made any piece of clothing- the white glove- and fashion accessory-aviators- take a life of their own, adding to his overall Michael Jackson style.

His single white glove became a fashion statement and icon for those wanting to entertain and stand out. MJ wore sequins and spangles with his own twist, started the heavy-duty bondage strapping before Marilyn Manson and shined in shoulder-boosted military jackets before they hit runways across the globe. There was even a time where Jackson was challenged by MC Hammer for the right to wear the infamous white glove- perhaps he should have just found the other one.

Although Jackson may have died a ‘white’ skinned man, his original African-American face and his overall ‘blackness’ were (and still are) hugely influential in the fashion world. Jackson was the original face of the American-American MTV generation and started the ‘afro’ trend at a time when it seemed unusual and political to do so.

His ‘fro’ enabled other African-Americans to sport the do and empowered other designers to gain inspiration in their collections- the latest Jean Charles de Castelbajac who referenced the late pop star earlier this year.

Jackson may have passed but his style influence lives on. It was only this week, designer Riccardo Tisci presented bejewelled shirts influenced by Jackson for Givenchy and the Trussari collection in Milan showed cropped trousers- a reminder that Jackson’s influence is yet to disappear. Jackson Style references will be made for the remaining year and no doubt in future fashion.