[:en]368. A new look for Michael Jackson…

Michael Jackson had organized a small, private dinner, I would say a very intimate dinner because we were completely alone in the restaurant of one of the most prestigious hotels in Las Vegas, away from prying eyes.

Finally he began to tell me about his desire to usher in a new period of his musical life. A new style to which he wished to give a new look.

He made me realize that he wanted to abandon forever the short jackets, tight pants, white socks with loafers blacks. He had already noticed that I was wearing – as I always do – ankle boots in black suede. Well, that would be a look that he would like. He made me realize that he greatly admired the fantasies of the embroideries we had put on the shiny fabrics of some of our women’s jackets.

So he wanted something that would stand out, a rock-chic-elegance.

We left one another promising to meet again soon and I assured him that I would send some sketches and ideas for his new Michael Jackson look.

From that day we began to talk one another often. He had already accepted some of my proposals and, with the help of my son Daniele, we organized a first meeting in London to show him an exquisitely worked jacket we had designed for him. He was impressed!

His first return to the public would be in London during the “Fashion Rocks”. There was great expectation; the press had given a lot of coverage to his new look and I was part of that great event.

The final examination gown was exciting. Michael was delighted and expressed his approval!

During the concert the audience was screaming his name to the rhythm of the music. Michael continued to dance walking on the stage. The audience reached out to touch him, just to experience the sensation of touching him and his clothes.

Michael took off his jacket, swung it twice over his head and threw it into the screaming audience!

I looked at Daniele’s face. He was shocked! The wonderful “jacket” that had cost so much creative effort had ended up in the hands of a fan who certainly could not possibly imagine what had gone into it!

When Michael returned to the backstage I hugged him, and jokingly expressed my disappointment about the jacket… “Roberto, please, I was very excited… Just make me a new one…!” he said, hugging me again.

The world has lost a great artist and I have lost a friend.

I LOVE YOU

[:it]368. Un nuovo look per Michael Jackson…

Michael Jackson aveva organizzato una piccola cena, direi molto intima perché eravamo completamente soli, nel ristorante di uno dei più prestigiosi hotel di Las Vegas: un piccolo tavolo in un salottino lontano da occhi indiscreti.

Finalmente cominciò a parlarmi del suo desiderio di inaugurare un nuovo periodo della sua vita musicale. Un nuovo stile al quale avrebbe desiderato dare anche un nuovo look.

Mi fece capire che voleva abbandonare per sempre le giacche corte, i pantaloni attillati, i calzini bianchi con i mocassini neri. Aveva già notato che io portavo – come del resto faccio sempre – stivaletti in camoscio nero; bene, li avrebbe voluti uguali anche lui, e mi fece capire che ammirava molto le fantasie dei ricami di alcune mie giacche femminili su tessuti lucidi.

Insomma desiderava qualcosa di appariscente, un rock-chic-elegante.

Ci lasciammo promettendoci di rivederci presto, e gli assicurai che gli avrei inviato alcuni schizzi e idee-proposta per il nuovo look Michael Jackson!

Da quel giorno cominciammo a sentirci spesso. Aveva già accettato alcune mie proposte, e con l’aiuto di mio figlio Daniele, organizzammo un primo meeting a Londra per una laboriosissima giacca che l’aveva particolarmente colpito!

Il suo primo ritorno in pubblico sarebbe stato a Londra in occasione del “Fashion Rocks”. C’era grande attesa; la stampa aveva dato molto spazio anche al suo nuovo look, e io mi sentivo parte di quel grande evento.

La prova finale dell’abito fu eccitante; Michael era contentissimo e mi dimostrava tutta la sua approvazione e simpatia!

Durante il concerto i ragazzi del pubblico urlavano il suo nome seguendo il ritmo della musica. Michael continuò a ballare camminando sulla passerella. I ragazzi si allungavano per toccarlo, solo per provare la sensazione di sfiorare i suoi abiti.

Michael si tolse la giacca, la fece ruotare due volte sopra la testa e la gettò in mezzo al pubblico in delirio!

Guardai la faccia di Daniele: era scioccato! La meravigliosa “giacca” che c’era costata tanta fatica era finita nelle mani d’un fan che certamente non ne poteva apprezzare e conoscere la storia!

Quando Michael rientrò lo abbracciai, e scherzando gli feci capire il mio disappunto… “Roberto, please, I was very excited… Just make me a new one…!” mi disse, abbracciandomi nuovamente.

Il mondo ha perso un grande artista ed io ho perso un amico.

I LOVE YOU

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