08/23/2026
The 1985 Michael Jackson detail you probably never noticed.
Before the world knew every single jacket and armband by heart, there was a hidden emblem Michael fell completely in love with.
In January 1985, during the legendary We Are the World writing and rehearsal sessions with Lionel Richie, MJ debuted a custom British-style heraldic crest—paired with his famous piano-keyboard tie.
Deeply obsessed with European royalty and military tailoring, Michael loved this piece from the Tompkins & Bush fashion archives so much that he didn’t just wear it once.
Throughout the mid-80s, he turned it into his personal signature:
👑 Stitched as a gold bullion patch on his tailored blazers
🏆 Cast as a heavy gold belt buckle for press appearances
🎈 Pinned to his outfit during a hot air balloon flight
🇬🇧 Fastened directly onto his trousers during his London trips
To bring this forgotten piece of pop culture history back to life, I hand-embroidered the entire coat of arms into a wearable brooch—stitch by micro-stitch.
Using ultra-fine needles, metallic threads, and micro-beads, I recreated every single archival detail: from the golden knight’s helmet and rampant lions to the vibrant crimson shield with his iconic “J”.
Swipe right to see how a piece of 1985 fashion history turned into a micro-beaded brooch!
Be honest: did you ever notice this hidden crest in his 1985 wardrobe? Drop a comment below!
