Inside Black in Fashion Council’s Exclusive Screening of ‘Michael’ – Essence

Last week, the Black in Fashion Council (BIFC) hosted an intimate evening in New York City celebrating the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic Michael, ahead of its worldwide theatrical release on April 24. Held at The Crosby Street Hotel, the event brought together leaders across fashion, media, and entertainment for an exclusive screening.

The evening opened with a pre-reception where guests viewed curated costumes from the film on display, offering an early glimpse into the meticulous design work that shapes the biopic’s visual language. Attendees from across the industry—including editors, designers, executives, and cultural figures—gathered for cocktails and conversation before the screening, underscoring the film’s intersection of fashion history and contemporary creative practice.

Following the screening, journalist Asia Milia Ware moderated a conversation with costume designer Marci Rodgers, who unpacked her approach to translating Michael Jackson’s iconic wardrobe for the screen. Rodgers discussed the challenge of honoring globally recognized looks while adapting them for movement, performance, and cinematic storytelling. Her work spans multiple eras of Jackson’s career, from military-inspired silhouettes to his most recognizable stage ensembles, each reinterpreted with precision and restraint.

“Michael was manifesting his life through his fashion, long before he knew he would transcend it,” Rodgers told the audience. “Each look wasn’t just style, it was the beginning of the version of himself the world would come to remember.”

The discussion explored fashion as a cultural language and Jackson’s continued influence on identity, artistry, and performance. Rodgers also reflected on the collaborative nature of costume design, highlighting the interplay between the Jackson family, actors, choreographers, and production teams in building the film’s visual world.

In a statement, BIFC co-founders Lindsay Peoples and Sandrine Charles praised Rodgers’ body of work, emphasizing her role in advancing costume design as a form of cultural storytelling. They cited her acclaimed work on projects such as BlacKkKlansman and Till, positioning Michael as a continuation of her commitment to authenticity and narrative depth.

The evening concluded with reflections on Jackson’s global legacy and what audiences might take away from the film, not only as a portrait of an artist, but as an exploration of how style, performance, and identity are inseparable in shaping cultural memory.

Founded by Lindsay Peoples and Sandrine Charles, the Black in Fashion Council continues its mission of advancing equity in fashion by advocating for systemic change and amplifying Black creatives across the industry. This screening served as both a celebration of film and a reminder of fashion’s ongoing role in shaping cultural legacy.