Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” collection is coming to Abu Dhabi
If Michael Jackson is still on your playlist, you’ll be pleased to know that some of the most iconic pieces from his career are coming to Abu Dhabi this December. That includes the jacket worn in the “Thriller” music video and the rhinestone-studded glove he wore when he first performed the Moonwalk on television.
The collection also includes the shoes Jackson wore during rehearsals for his famous Motown 25 performance, as well as the loafers he wore while filming “Thriller”.
All four pieces will go under the hammer as part of Julien’s Auctions’ Celebrity & Pop Culture Experience at Rosewood Abu Dhabi from 7 to 9 December. Before the auction, you can also see them in person at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental.
The “Thriller” jacket
The red and black leather jacket from “Thriller” is probably one of those pieces you’ll recognise before you even read the description.
Jackson wore it in the 1983 music video during the scenes before his character transforms into a zombie. The jacket has exaggerated shoulders, silver buckles, red silk lining, and the distinctive V-shaped silhouette created for the look.
Two jackets were made for the video, with the second one deliberately distressed for the zombie scenes. That one is now held by Jackson’s estate.
The jacket coming to Abu Dhabi is the one Jackson wore in the rest of the video. After filming, he gave it to longtime costume designers Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins, who used it as a pattern for the different versions of the “Thriller” jacket later created for his tours.
The glove from Jackson’s famous Moonwalk performance
Then there’s the rhinestone-studded glove worn during Jackson’s Motown 25 performance.
On 16 May 1983, Jackson performed “Billie Jean” for the television special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. Towards the end of the performance, he stepped backwards and performed the Moonwalk for the first time in front of a television audience.
The glove he wore that night is now estimated at USD 600,000 to USD 800,000.
It was previously sold by Julien’s Auctions in 2009 for USD 430,000, and this will be its first appearance at auction since then.
The black Florsheim loafers Jackson wore during rehearsals for the same performance are also being auctioned. They’re estimated at USD 60,000 to USD 80,000.
And yes, his “Thriller” shoes are coming too
The other pair of shoes in the collection were worn by Jackson during rehearsals and filming for “Thriller”.
They’re black Florsheim loafers, size 9.5, with “MJ Thriller Shoes” handwritten on the soles. The pair comes with a signed letter from Jackson to Michael Peters, the choreographer for the music video, thanking him for his work on “Thriller”.
The shoes are estimated at USD 30,000 to USD 50,000.
See them in Abu Dhabi before the auction
You won’t have to wait until auction day to see the collection. The four Michael Jackson pieces will be on public display at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental from 29 November to 5 December, so you can get a closer look before they head to Rosewood Abu Dhabi for the auction.
The wider Celebrity & Pop Culture Experience runs from 7 to 9 December, with auctions dedicated to Michael Jackson, pop culture memorabilia, and Princess Diana.
Where: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
When: 29 November to 5 December 2026
Auction: Rosewood Abu Dhabi, 7 to 9 December 2026
The Fashion Legacy Evening Auction: Monday, 7 December at 8pm GST
Register to bid here.
The Fashion Legacy Day Auction: Tuesday, 8 December at 10am GST
Register to bid here.
