The Rock and Roll Pop Culture Auction November 2018

Lot #381:

Michael Jackson's First Prototype Bill Whitten Left Hand and Right Hand Crystal Gloves

Michael Jackson's very first prototype left and right hand crystal beaded gloves, designed by Bill Whitten for Michael in 1982. During Michael's Victory Tour he asked Mr. Whitten to design something for him that was different, unique and that no-one had done before. Michael and Mr. Whitten then came up with the idea of a single glove, because Michael felt that wearing one glove was cool, but wearing two gloves seemed ordinary. These two gloves were then created, they were the first ones to be worn by Michael. Each is a white glove with strips of Austrian Swarovski crystals of various sizes. Each glove took approximately 40 hours to set on the crystals and beading and a day to actually sew each glove together by hand. Both gloves were a prototype-tester glove, each of them is the only prototype left hand and right hand glove. After these gloves were worn by Michael, it was decided later to use Loch-Rosen crystals which had a classier and more refined loot and feel. These gloves come from the personal collection of Keith Holman, of Holman Harper Designs. Keith worked with Bill Whitten in the 1980's who was his close friend and mentor. Keith worked as an assistant designer for Mr. Whitten and Artistic Hand Beading, and was responsible for making sure everything was on schedule, working direly with embroiders, beads, tailors and going to fittings. Holman had both of these gloves in his possession when he decided to restore them using the original banding. Very good condition. Comes with letters of authenticity from Keith Homan for both gloves as well as Gotta Have Rock & Roll™ Certificate of Authenticity.