She’s one of the most successful entertainers of our time who has created a vast array of moments in pop culture. From the unifying Rhythm Nation music video to the stunning Together Again and beyond; Janet Jackson has meticulously sculpted a legacy that puts her among music royalty.
Almost every moment from Jackson’s iconic career is heading to Julien’s Auction from Friday 14th May to Jackson’s 55th Birthday on Sunday 16th May – And just like everything Jackson has done within her career, the preparation for the auction has seen her break new ground and create some beautiful keep-safes for her fans.
The first Janet Jackson album I purchased for myself was All For You when I was 13 years old. There was something remarkably liberating about this album and I felt it instantly. It was a powerful record that captured your own feelings of joy, gave them a power-up and threw them right back at you – it made me feel great, and empowered – and the album was in constant rotation on my Discman (that’s basically an iPod for CDs! – it was 2001!) – I recall this time so vividly.
For so many of us, this is how Janet Jackson has been a mainstay in our lives and we all remember the moment we were drawn in by her unrivalled smile, her technical choreography, or her iconic looks.
So, as I walked down the staircase at The Hard Rock Café in London’s Piccadilly Circus and saw 13 of these career defining looks positioned on the central staircase, I was instantly blown away. The pieces on display weave a tapestry of a woman who has embraced every aspect of her make-up to become a trailblazer and an inspiration to people all around the world.
That’s The Way Love Goes, If, Scream, Together Again, Got ‘Til It’s Gone, When I Think Of You – all moments in pop history, standing as part of the assembly line next to looks from the Janet. World Tour, The Jackson Family Honors and The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
In the centre stood the iconic Rhythm Nation jacket & hat from Jackson’s 1990 Rhythm Nation World Tour. As a symbol of unity among different factions of society, its placing made sense as all the other expressions pivot from this poignant moment in Jackson’s career.
The question on so many lips is, ‘why sell?’ and according to Jackson herself, she couldn’t get enjoyment from the pieces while they were locked away in a warehouse. She wore them, she starred in the videos, she ticked that box, yet to so many, these items hold such significant memories to times in their lives, when they may have seen her on tour, or watch her music video debut for the first time. And Jackson understands this, which is why she has now chosen to share them with the world. During her Unbreakable era, Jackson continually reminds the world that if she had something to say, you’d hear it “from my lips”. To dispel any questions or uncertainty around the sale of the collection, Jackson has personally created an audio message, set to her 2006 20 Y.O song Enjoy where she speaks at length about her reasons for parting with all these items from her career. What’s more, this message can only be heard inside the official invitation to the auction which plays when you open the card.
Acknowledging the next chapter, Jackson states: “I’ve had the chance to reflect on and relive so many incredible happy memories…/I wanted fans and other people to have the opportunity to own these pieces…/It’s time to give them new homes where they’ll be enjoyed and appreciated.”
Over 1,000 of these “treasures” as Jackson refers to them as, will be put up for auction and Julien’s Auction tell me that Jackson was “extremely meticulous” in how each item was presented in the 3-book catalogue boxset.
So, when it came to the catalogue, Jackson had one demand – “This has to be the best catalogue ever made.” And truly, it is nothing short of spectacular and includes something that has never been done before.
In a world-first, Jackson has worked with her team to create an exclusive montage video set to a mix of her 1994 single You Want This. As you open the box, a video screen on the inside lid kicks in and Jackson’s voice comes out of the speaker inside the box.
After affirming her iconic status, a 3-minute montage of Jackson’s legendary music videos and live performances plays out as her decades of awards and record-breaking achievements splash across the visuals. Interspersed are the words “You Want This” before concluding “Now You Can Own A Piece of History – Janet Jackson / Julien’s Auction.”
This is Jackson once again, creating a moment in pop music history.
I was given time with the collection and used the opportunity to inspect the craftsmanship and fine details that the camera doesn’t always pick up. As many of her designers have attested, Jackson is fully invested in all the items she going to wear so what was on display felt like briefly stepping into her mind and exploring what messages she was hoping to convey and who she was seeking to connect with, each performance playing out in my head. As she told The Los Angeles Times in 1990
“It bothers me that some people think someone gave me an image or told me what songs to sing or what clothes to wear. I’m not a robot. I want people to know that I’m real.”
Standing with this collection gave that sense of realness and depth that Jackson has delivered consistently era after era. I cannot quite describe the feeling of being inches from a pair of actual Rhythm Nation gloves that have adorned her hands as she counts down – 5,4,3,2,1 – a simple hand gesture that in itself has become iconic, leading the countdown to a musical throwdown.
Taking note of all the items in the room, together again, it offered a full visual representation to just how many decades Jackson has been at the forefront of music. The high shoulder pads and pinstriped suits of the 80s, the halter-neck crop tops of the 90s, The white demin and leather jacket from the 00s and full black dress with feathered detail from the 10s, just two years ago.
And Jackson has transcended along with her outfits to be socially and culturally relevant through each and every decade.
As the items were carefully moved by the white-gloved crew from their private display up to the main windows of the Hard Rock Cafe Shop where they’ll spend the week, I was able to get a 360 view of each item and a chance placing in front of the Hard Rock sign made for a picture-perfect moment.
According to the team at Julien’s, Jackson sees the auction as a celebration of her creations rather than a farewell and regards the 3-catalogue set as her own “family album of her life” which she’s able to look through and reminisce – a much easier feat than hauling boxes across a warehouse for a trip down memory lane.
As this year marks the 35th Anniversary of Jackson’s ground-breaking Control album, it’s both satisfying and empowering to see that three and a half decades on, she’s setting a new standard for music artists to follow with this auction and is still very much, in Control.
This special collection of some of Janet Jackson’s personal costumes and images is on display in the windows of London’s Hard Rock Café Piccadilly on a strictly limited engagement, until 23rd April 2021, before heading to New York.
Iconic Treasures From The Career And Life Of Janet Jackson Auction, By Julien’s Auctions takes place from Friday 14th – Sunday 16th May in Beverly Hills CA.
Full Details can be found here
The collector’s boxset featuring all three catalogues can be ordered here
