Westfield Stratford to host Michael Jackson exhibit

Shopping centre Westfield Stratford is to exclusively host a collection of garments worn by the late Michael Jackson, it has been announced today.

Presented by Jackson‘s long-term costume designers Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins, the exhibition will open on Friday October 5th 2012 and is the UK-leg of a worldwide tour of items from the King of Pop‘s personal and performance wardrobes.

Located in The Getty Gallery on The Street, an outside area of the 1.9 million sq ft centre, the exhibit will showcase dozens of iconic outfits including the right-handed crystal glove worn by Jackson and the complete outfit worn in his video ‘Scream‘ as well as others worn during various famous live performances.

Tompkins and Bush worked with Jackson for over 25 years and the collection includes Bush‘s illustrated book ‘The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson‘, which will be available from late next month.

Joining a list of well-known venues to exhibit the garments including Dublin‘s The Museum of Style and Icons and Santiago‘s The Museo de la Moda, Westfield Stratford City is the only shopping centre in the world to host the renowned exhibition.

Myf Ryan, General Manager of Marketing at Westfield Stratford, said: “It is an honour to be the exclusive UK hosts for such a unique exhibition.

“In our first year, Westfield Stratford City attracted 47 million shoppers and we are increasingly becoming the destination of choice for exclusive events.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors and fans to get up close and personal with music and fashion history.”

Once the exhibition has finished its tour, which will see it arrive at Tokyo‘s Sky Tree Soramachi in Japan once it leaves London, an exclusive auction of the costumes will take place at Julien‘s Auctions on December 2nd 2012.

Darren Julien, President and CEO of Julien‘s Auctions, commented: “Thanks to the partnership with Westfield and Getty Images we are excited to bring the highlights of the Tompkins and Bush Collection for fans and collectors in Europe to preview these historic highlights in person prior to the live auction on December 2nd in our Beverly Hills Gallery”.

Tickets to the Westfield Stratford exhibition cost £10 and can be purchased on Ticketmaster from September 30th 2012.