Michael Jackson had worn some of the most recognizable clothes in pop history.
But on May 1, 1999, he appeared at the Bollywood Movie Awards in New York looking completely different.
Michael arrived in a dark traditional Indian-inspired ensemble created by celebrated Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra, featuring elaborate gold Indian embroidery. Malhotra later recalled designing a sherwani, trousers and shawl for Michael and said Jackson even thanked him for the outfit onstage.
The occasion was much bigger than fashion.
At the ceremony, held at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, Michael received a Humanitarian Award from businessman S. P. Hinduja. Contemporary coverage said the recognition honored Michael’s work promoting peace and understanding through his humanitarian efforts, including the Heal the World Foundation.
And Michael used his acceptance speech to explain what celebrity meant to him.
He told the audience that the real measure of success was not simply how famous someone became, but what that person did with their fame and fortune. He spoke about using celebrity to draw attention and resources toward worthwhile causes.
Michael also mentioned Mahatma Gandhi, saying he admired Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence and had been deeply touched by it.
Michael Jackson Accepts the 1999 Bollywood Humanitarian Award
The surviving footage shows Michael receiving the award and delivering his humanitarian speech while wearing the rare Indian-designed outfit.
The clothes themselves later became a piece of Michael Jackson history. Julien’s Auctions identified the black embroidered garment as a Manish Malhotra-designed kurta created for Michael’s 1999 Bollywood Awards appearance.
For fans used to seeing Michael in rhinestone gloves, black loafers, military-inspired jackets and fedoras, the photographs from that evening remain especially unusual.
Michael Jackson had countless iconic looks, but in 1999 Bollywood gave fans something almost never seen: the King of Pop accepting a humanitarian honor dressed in traditional Indian style.