Music legend and style icon Janet Jackson is auctioning off a large amount of her personal treasure trove and donating a portion of the proceeds to the child advocacy group, Compassion International. The assortment, featuring over 800 items, will include some of her most recognizable ensembles from fan-favorite music videos, custom-made stage costumes, bedazzled microphones and even her 2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.
Exclusive exhibition previews began showcasing the collection at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on Tuesday and will move to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey on May 8. The auction itself will take place at the Hard Rock Café in New York and online at Julien’s Live beginning on May 21, according to the auction house.
Noteworthy pieces from Jackson’s wardrobe include outfits from her 1990 Rhythm Nation tour and her landmark matching black suede vest and trousers set from 1993’s “That’s The Way Love Goes” music video, which she paired with a Native American-inspired beaded choker necklace featuring a silver feather charm. Another piece of music video memorabilia includes the black pinstripe suit Jackson adorned in her 1989 visuals for the song “Alright.”
Her Dexter Wong white long-sleeve puckered popcorn shirt and her off-white faux-leather bikini top as seen in the 1995 “Scream” music video with her brother Michael Jackson will also be available. The production broke records as the most expensive music video ever made, costing $7 million.
Jackson’s black Richard Tyler coat that she wore on her 1990 Rhythm Nation tour with strong padded shoulder and velvet lapels is included in the array, as well as the black leather and mesh dress with feathered detailing she wore to perform at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards and the white distressed vest from her NBC Today concert eeries in New York City in 2006.
In 2021, Jackson partnered with Julien’s Auctions for the “Iconic Treasures from the Legendary Career and Life of Janet Jackson,” with a portion of the proceeds going towards Compassion International. Kim Kardashian purchased a custom-made cropped suede top with artificial bone detailing and a pair of black pants with laces up the front, originally worn by Jackson in her music video for “If” in 1993.
From her childhood performances alongside her brothers’ band The Jackson 5, to her debut solo self-titled album in 1982, and her modern masterpiece Unbreakable in 2015, Jackson has continued to play an integral role in the rolodex of pop culture.
Not only does Jackson continue to shape the world of music and entertainment, but she has also been quite the fashion star throughout her career. Going from power-suits and statement accessories in the 1980s/’90s to the world of simple gowns in the contemporary era and warrior reminiscent costumes for the stage, she has made it a point to stay relevant and remain a name that is on everyone’s lips. Jackson and Julien’s Auctions are sure to make a difference once again for the Compassion International non-profit.
