Only European exhibition of these Michael Jackson treasures opens at the Museum of Style Icons on 30th October with Michael Jackson’s costume designer and author of The King of Style, Michael Bush to attend.
Nothing says Halloween quite like Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The haunting music, the graveyard, the zombies rising from the dead and that unforgettable dance routine have become part of Halloween folklore around the world.
Now, more than four decades after the ‘King of Pop’ first captivated audiences with his groundbreaking Thriller music video, one of his spectacular illuminated Thriller jackets, his legendary white glove and the loafers worn during rehearsals for his historic Motown 25 performance are coming to Newbridge Silverware, Co. Kildare. In what promises to be one of the most extraordinary exhibitions ever staged at The Museum of Style Icons, ‘A Thriller Of An Exhibition – Michael Jackson A Fashion Legacy’ will open on Friday, 30th October and run until Sunday, 8th November 2026, giving visitors just ten days to experience these remarkable pieces of pop history. Newbridge Silverware will host the only European exhibition of these important pieces of Michael Jackson memorabilia.
The exhibition, presented in association with world-renowned entertainment auction house Julien’s Auctions, will bring an exceptional collection of Michael Jackson’s stage-worn costumes and personal memorabilia to Ireland, ahead of a major international exhibition in Bahrain concluding in an auction in Abu Dhabi on 7th December at The Rosewood Abu Dhabi, where some of the pieces are expected to command extraordinary prices.
Taking centre stage will be the spectacular 1987–1989 Bad World Tour illuminated Thriller jacket, worn by Jackson during his legendary live performances. The elaborate, embellished jacket, incorporating flashing lights, was created to bring the drama of the original Thriller costume to an entirely new level, allowing the superstar to dazzle audiences in vast concert stadiums around the world.
Created by Jackson’s longtime costume designers Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins, the illuminated jacket is a remarkable example of the innovation and theatrical brilliance that became synonymous with the superstar’s live performances. Jackson constantly challenged his designers to create increasingly spectacular costumes, and the light-up Thriller jacket was among their most ambitious creations.
The original red and black jacket worn in the 1983 Thriller music video became one of the most instantly recognisable costumes in entertainment history, inspiring countless copies and Halloween costumes across the world. The illuminated version coming to Newbridge represents the next extraordinary chapter in the evolution of that legendary look.
But the Thriller jacket is only the beginning. Also travelling to Newbridge Silverware is one of the most famous and valuable pieces of music memorabilia in existence – Michael Jackson’s original rhinestone-studded glove, worn during his historic performance of Billie Jean at the Motown 25 television special in 1983. It was during that performance that Jackson unveiled his signature Moonwalk to a television audience, creating a moment that would change the history of popular music and dance forever. The glove, which has become one of the most recognisable symbols of the King of Pop, carries a staggering pre-auction estimate of $600,000 to $800,000. It last went under the hammer at Julien’s Auctions in 2009, when it sold for a then-record-breaking US$430,000.
Completing this extraordinary trio of pop culture treasures are the black leather Florsheim loafers worn by Michael Jackson during rehearsals for that famous Motown 25 performance, the shoes associated with the moment the Moonwalk was introduced to the world. They are expected to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000 when they go under the hammer in December.
For Irish fans, the opportunity to see the glove and shoes together, alongside the illuminated Thriller jacket, represents an exceptionally rare chance to experience three defining elements of Michael Jackson’s extraordinary career. The exhibition will also feature a remarkable selection of other costumes and memorabilia from Jackson’s legendary career, including pieces from his Bad, Dangerous and HIStory world tours and outfits associated with some of his most famous music videos and performances.
Adding another extraordinary dimension to the exhibition, Michael Jackson’s longtime costume designer Michael Bush will travel to Newbridge Silverware to meet fans and sign copies of his book, The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson.
One of Hollywood’s most celebrated costume designers, Bush has created fashions for stars including Elizabeth Taylor and Britney Spears, but it was his remarkable 25-plus-year creative partnership with Michael Jackson that established his place in music and fashion history. Originally from Portsmouth, Ohio, Bush first learned to sew at just eight years of age while helping his mother in her alterations business. After studying briefly at Ohio State University, he moved into the entertainment industry, eventually finding himself working in Las Vegas and Hollywood. His life changed in 1985 when he met Michael Jackson while working as a dressing assistant on the set of the superstar’s futuristic short film Captain EO.
That meeting marked the beginning of an extraordinary friendship and creative collaboration. Together with his design partner Dennis Tompkins, Bush went on to create some of the most iconic costumes in entertainment history, including Jackson’s elaborate military-style jackets, sequined gloves, spectacular stage outfits and the famous Bad World Tour jacket adorned with 12 chrome police badges. Their creations helped transform Jackson’s stage wardrobe into a visual spectacle, combining fashion, theatre, engineering and extraordinary attention to detail. Every costume had to be designed not only to look spectacular but also to withstand the demands of Jackson’s athletic and often gravity-defying dance routines.
Bush’s acclaimed 2013 book, The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson, documents many of these extraordinary creations and provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes account of their working relationship, international travels and the personal friendship they shared.
His visit to Newbridge Silverware will offer fans a rare opportunity to meet one of the people who knew Jackson best and helped create the extraordinary visual identity that remains instantly recognisable around the world.
Welcoming the exhibition, William Doyle, CEO of Newbridge Silverware, said, “Michael Jackson was one of the most iconic entertainers the world has ever seen. He didn’t just change music; he changed fashion, dance and popular culture forever. There are very few people in entertainment history whose costumes are as instantly recognisable as their music.
“To have his spectacular illuminated Thriller jacket here in Newbridge is extraordinary in itself, but to also have the actual glove he wore for that historic Motown performance, along with the famous Moonwalk shoes, is something really special. These are pieces of music history that people have seen on television and in photographs for decades, and now they will be able to stand just a few feet away from them here in Kildare.
“We are also absolutely delighted to welcome Michael Bush to Newbridge Silverware. Michael’s costume designer for more than 25 years who, in collaboration with his partner Dennis Tompkins responsible for creating so many of the incredible outfits worn by the King of Pop. We wanted to create something really exciting for Halloween and the school midterm break, something that parents, grandparents and children could all enjoy together. Michael Jackson’s music has crossed generations, and I think there will be huge excitement about this exhibition. Best of all, admission is completely free, and we hope people will travel from all over Ireland to experience it.”
The exhibition comes at a particularly exciting moment for collectors and fans of Michael Jackson, with Julien’s Auctions preparing for what could be one of the most significant auction of music memorabilia in recent years. On 7th December, the auction house will stage Michael Jackson: The Fashion Legacy at Rosewood Abu Dhabi as part of its international Celebrity & Pop Culture Experience, with some of the most important costumes and personal items from the superstar’s career going under the hammer.
In November, Julien’s and Faalyat, a Bahrain-based event management company, will launch a preview in Bahrain ahead of the Abu Dhabi auctions. The proposed events will bring together auction highlights and a broader selection of Michael Jackson, Princess Diana and other pop culture artifacts. Also included in the overall programming will be a conversation and book signing with Michael Jackson’s longtime costume designer, Michael Bush, giving audiences a firsthand look at the craftsmanship behind Jackson’s stage wardrobe.
These pieces will later be on display at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, for a special pop-up exhibition during Formula 1 week. Located within the hotel’s iconic lobby, the exhibition will offer international and UAE visitors an exclusive preview before the tour’s final stop at *Celebrity & Pop Culture Experience *at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Julien’s Auctions’ Official Venue Partner.
Julien’s Auctions has previously established world records for Michael Jackson memorabilia, including the sale of an original Thriller music-video jacket for US$1.8 million in 2011 and the famous Motown 25 glove for US$430,000 in 2009. With renewed international interest in Jackson’s extraordinary musical and cultural legacy, collectors are expected to compete fiercely for the opportunity to own these historic pieces. For visitors to Newbridge Silverware, it means an opportunity to see some of the most sought-after pieces of pop culture memorabilia in the world before they potentially disappear into private collections.
And the timing could hardly be more perfect. Since its release in 1983, Thriller has become the ultimate Halloween anthem, with its spooky storyline, elaborate zombie choreography and unforgettable costumes continuing to inspire Halloween parties, dance performances and fancy-dress celebrations across the globe.
The groundbreaking music video, directed by John Landis, transformed the music video into a cinematic event and was selected for preservation by the United States Library of Congress in 2009 in recognition of its cultural, historical and artistic importance.
More than four decades later, its influence remains as powerful as ever, with new generations continuing to discover the music, master the zombie dance moves and recreate Jackson’s iconic red and black look.
With schools closed for the October midterm break, Thriller at Newbridge Silverware promises to be one of the most unusual and exciting free family attractions in Ireland this Halloween, offering children and adults alike the chance to come face to face with costumes worn by one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
The Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware has earned an international reputation for bringing extraordinary pieces of fashion, film and entertainment history to Ireland. The museum, which offers free admission throughout the year, has hosted exhibitions celebrating some of the world’s most famous style icons, Hollywood legends, musicians and designers.
The arrival of Michael Jackson’s legendary costumes continues that tradition, bringing another remarkable chapter of international entertainment history to Co. Kildare.
‘A Thriller Of An Exhibition – Michael Jackson A Fashion Legacy opens on Friday, 30th October and runs until Sunday, 8th November 2026, at the Museum of Style Icons, Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. Admission is FREE. www.newbridgesilverware.com.
