Music Style

Michael Bush-Tompkins/Bush archives

As Michael Jackson prepared for his final This Is It tour, friends on set say the pop star was never better. “He’s still a terrific dancer,” says costume designer Dennis Tompkins, who worked with Michael Bush to create an “over the top” wardrobe for the tour. On his final night of rehearsal, Jackson “was doing the moonwalk. Everything!” says Bush. “He did the whole show full out at performance level. He was like, ‘When are we going to London? Let’s go. I’m ready.’” He was also on a creative high. “Working with Michael for 25 years we had never seen his creativity at this level,” says Bush. “It was like where is this coming from? I get goose bumps thinking about what this visual was going to look like.” Though the show won’t go on, Bush and Tompkins gave PEOPLE an exclusive look at just that. Here’s an inside look at what you might have seen. –Charlotte Triggs

1. A THRILLING JACKET: Costumers Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins re-created Jackson’s iconic looks for each of the 26 songs he was to perform, but the singer asked, “How can we take it to the next level?” Bush recalls. The solution? Fiber-optic lights sewn onto his red leather “Thriller” jacket, for a surprise light show timed to the music.

2. OLD FAVES: Jackson was going to back his signature crystal glove and socks, which caught the light — and assured that even fans in the back could see him dance. “He was so excited to perform,”says Bush.

3. A MILITARY SALUTE: For the star’s rendition of “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” Bush and Tompkins created a “regimented, military” look.

4. BELTS AND WHISTLES: Tompkins had to make sure items like this jeweled belt would fit Jackson’s slight 27 3/4 inch waist, but says his weight was not an issue: “He was a bit smaller, but he was always thin.”

5. MAJOR DANCE MOVES: Jackson’s new Billie Jean suit held 7.5 lbs. of Swarovski crystals and 60 lights, so the star made sure he could do a spin before signing off. “The dance came first; costumes were secondary,” says Bush. “And his moves were sharper than ever.”

Click here to see all of PEOPLE.com’s coverage of Michael Jackson.

ANG/Fame

Courtney Love has always been on her own fashion path, as often setting trends as getting tongues wagging. So when British socialite Peaches Geldof tweeted she was eating chocolate cake and having a hotel-room fashion show of Love’s designs, the internet started buzzing with the idea that Courtney was becoming a designer. Now, a rep for Courtney Love confirms to PEOPLE that the rocker is indeed launching a clothing line. According to Grazia, who first ran the report, Courtney has said her line will include “cotton ribbed body suits, cashmere harem pants and a ruby stitched into every outfit”. Just like everything Courtney does, we can’t wait to see how this turns out. Tell us: Would you wear clothes designed by Courtney Love?

Courtesy of H&M

For its second season of Fashion Against AIDS, H&M has teamed up with stars like Katy Perry, Dita Von Teese, Estelle, Cyndi Lauper, Yoko Ono, N.E.R.D and more. Each star has collaborated with H&M on designs for T-shirts, T-shirt dresses, vests and bodysuits to spread the word about safe sex through bold slogans in vibrant colors. Katy Perry’s safe sex message, “It’s What’s On The Outside That Counts,” is printed in bright script on a body suit and T-shirt. Dita Von Teese offers an alluring image of her iconic red lips and arched brow on a cute cap-sleeved T-shirt while Cyndi Lauper takes an 80’s approach with her iconic slogan, “Girls Just Want to Have Safe Sex,” scrawled in what looks like hot pink lipstick on a tank top. The collection will hit H&M stores on May 28, with 25% of the sales of each item will be donated to youth HIV/AIDS awareness projects.

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty

In addition to playing one of TV’s most rebellious teenagers on Gossip Girl, Taylor Momsen is also the singer and songwriter for the band Pretty Reckless. With Gossip Girl wrapping up its second season of filming, the 15-year old starlet is gearing up to lead her band on tour — clad in her own creations! “I’m actually designing all of my costumes. It’s a rock band, so there’s not costume changes but there’s definitely a look,” Taylor told NYmag.com at Nylon’s 10th anniversary party last night. A source tells PEOPLE.com that, although no deal has yet been inked, Taylor will collaborate with New York designer Jen Kao, who is already drawing up sketches. We can’t wait to see what Taylor and Jen come up with, but the edgy actress did reveal to NYmag.com, “I only really design for myself. It’s really fun.” Stay tuned for more information on Taylor’s tour costumes. Tell us: Are you excited to see what Taylor designs?

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Other than her controversial lyrics, Katy Perry is perhaps best known for her out-there fashion choices, but the newcomer doesn’t mind being a regular on the worst dressed lists. “I like experimenting and I’m totally OK with ending up in the ‘worst dressed.’ It’s happened many, many times, but I’m proud of those outfits,” the singer tells Women’s Health. From wearing a carousel-inspired frock to a Barack Obama printed number, Katy never ceases to amaze us with her outrageous looks. “I don’t follow trends,” she says.”I’m just not into what everyone else is wearing. I have my own look, which I call ‘Lolita meets old Hollywood Glam.’” So, it’s no wonder when she names such stars as Dita Von Teese and Cyndi Lauper as her icons. “I’m a big fan of [actress and burlesque performer] Dita Von Teese, because she does it all herself. That is her job: to look fabulous going to the grocery store,” Katy explains. “Cyndi Lauper is another favorite. She was just so out of her mind in the ’80s. It takes someone who has no limitations in style to create stuff that epic.” We have a feeling that this Grammy-nominated singer isn’t only getting going with her fashion choices — and her career. To read more from Katy Perry, Elisha Cuthbert and Chelsea Handler, pick up the new issue of Women’s Health– on newsstands now. Tell us: What do you think of Katy Perry’s style?

Tony R. Phipps/FilmMagic

Reba McEntire won’t have any trouble answering the inevitable question of “Who are you wearing?” at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards, which she will host on April 5th. That’s because the country queen designed all her own gowns for the awards show. “The hardest thing for me [about hosting] is probably finding the right thing to wear,” she tells PEOPLE.com. “People will say, ‘Well, you know, just go down and buy something!’ It’s hard to do that because you don’t want to be wearing something when you’re hosting that somebody in the front row has on too.” To avoid a fashion faceoff, Reba and her longtime stylist Terry Gordon teamed up to create five looks for the evening. And although the country music scene has turned casual in recent years, Reba hopes that her glamorous awards night wardrobe will inspire her country peers to keep jeans and cowboy boots in their place. “I saw that on the Grammys and Oscars, everyone was more buttoned up, a little more classy — elegant. I’m hoping that’s how it’s going to be at the ACMs also.” Don’t forget to come back to PEOPLE.com for our complete coverage of the Academy of Country Music awards. – by Christina Yoon

Courtesy DSquared2

After five years, Britney Spears is returning to the stage for her Circus tour—and it looks like things will be just as sexy as before. The Canadian design duo behind star-favorite label DSquared2 has teamed up with the pop star to create looks for her and her backup dancers. The designers have refashioned traditional circus costumes such as those worn by trapeze artists, clowns and jugglers into sinister and provocative looks. The custom styles were created to take on a dream-like element that will blend with Britney’s sexy on-stage persona. We can’t wait to see more. Tell us: What do you think of Britney’s costumes?