World Footwear

Social

Michael Jackson's moonwalk shoes up for auction

Apr 23, 2018 United States
Michael Jackson's moonwalk shoes up for auction
The black loafers used by Michael Jackson to perform his signature moonwalk for the first time on stage are going up for auction
The star owned the Florsheim Imperial leather shoes and wore them while rehearsing his performance of Billie Jean for the "Motown 25" TV special in 1983. That rehearsal is a mark in the pop star career, as it represents the first time Michael Jackson performed his famous backward-sliding dance move on stage. 

GWS Auctions, responsible for the auction has confirmed a “very conservative estimate" of 10 000 US dollars. According to the same source: "These shoes are in wonderful condition for their age, with evident signs of use to the soles".


The shoes have been owned by choreographer and dancer Lester Wilson, who said Jackson gave him the shoes in his dressing room after rehearsing with his brothers for the special, the auction house said. There is a possibly the shoes were also used during the performance on the special, GWS Auctions commented.

Billie Jean and the album on which it appeared, 1982's Thriller, made Jackson the first artist to have a No. 1 pop single, pop album, R&B single and R&B album chart simultaneously.


Related Events

  • May
    6
    May 6-May 8, 2025 | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

    Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas

  • May
    6
    May 6-May 8, 2025 | Atlanta, United States

    Texprocess Americas

  • May
    6
    May 6-May 6, 2025 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

    Global Supply Chain & Trade Conference

  • Jun
    2
    Jun 2-Jun 6, 2025 | New York, United States

    FFANY Market Week

Related Organizations

  • Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc.

    Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc.

    United States
  • The Museum at FIT

    The Museum at FIT

    United States
  • L&HCA - Leather & Hide Council of America

    L&HCA - Leather & Hide Council of America

    United States
  • BSTA - Boston Shoe Travelers Association

    BSTA - Boston Shoe Travelers Association

    United States