On Wednesday, Janet Jackson’s Together Again Tour touched down in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center. Doors opened at 7:00 p.m., and little by little, Jackson fans made their way into the venue, decked out in an expressive array of concert fashion. Among the crowd were homeages to Janet in every era: iterations of her militaristic Rhythm Nation style, homages to the sexy Janet era and bright looks from Damita Jo. There was a sprinkling of the rare, vintage tour finds (honorable mention to the guy with Janet as Dorothy Dandridge on his shirt, transformed famously by late makeup artist, Kevin Aucoin.) In short, they showed up and showed out.
Jackson’s fan base spans age groups, from those who were at her earliest appearances as a child star to younger fans who are discovering the icon. With a nostalgic and playful outlook on concert style, most of the folks we spoke to for this look book provided an anecdote about a special “Janet” moment in their lives.
Yvette
Talk about your look, how did you bring it together?
I have the Baker Boy hat; Janet is known for that. I got a black T-shirt; she also wears a lot of black, and then I topped it off with some metallics.
What are you most excited about this evening?
I’m most excited to see her — everything! She’s my age group so, I’m hyped.
Finish the sentence: “The best Janet era is_________________.”
Rhythm Nation.
Demali
What was the inspiration behind your look?
I just wanted to wear something bright and shiny, like a ’90s Janet vibe.
What are you looking forward to tonight?
Janet Jackson, I just love her. She’s an icon, she’s a legend — I love all the Jacksons and I never got to see Michael, so I’m super excited that I’m able to see her.
Anita
Tell me about your look tonight.
I’m representing the sexy Janet Jackson.
What song are you looking forward to hearing live tonight?
I want her to do a little bit of Control.
Jennifer
Tell me the inspiration behind your look.
I’m representing Janet, ’cause she’s my girl. And she’s got the look.
What song are you looking forward to hearing live tonight?
“All for You.” And don’t forget “Nasty.” I grew up with her, we’re about the same age.
Tiffany
This is very referential, talk about this look.
I’m literally copying Janet — the whole outfit. I was like, “If I’m gonna come to this concert, I gotta show up.”
What’s the best thing about Janet’s style?
Everything that she puts together is just perfect! Even down to the backup dancers. I grew up listening to her, so I’ve been waiting for this moment, especially with my bestie by my side.
Finish the sentence: “The best Janet era is_________________.”
The Janet era. And Velvet Rope!
Alice
Tell me about your look, you’re super colorful tonight.
Well, I’ve been singing the song Island Life, so you know I was thinking tropical, so I was like let me go and put on some colors, and this is what I put together!
What are some of your favorite Janet moments?
I’m a very big fan of the Jacksons: Janet, Michael — I love them all! I grew up with them, and I’ve read all their biographies.
Finish the sentence: “The best Janet era is_________________.”
Damita Jo, “Island Life.”
Ricky & Albert
What inspired your looks tonight?
Ricky: Honestly, I just wanted to be simple and wear just one piece and not think about it too much. It’s all about ease for me today. It’s been a long day.
Albert: So, this is a cut-off shirt and shorts — simple!
Finish the sentence: “The best Janet era is_________________.”
Albert: ’90s!
Ricky: Janet, ’93, “That’s the Way Love Goes,” “Throb,” they all hold a special place for me. That’s when I came into my really intense love for Janet.
Rich & Jimmy
Tell me about your looks! Lot’s of prints & coordination.
It was what was in the closet! So, effortless.
What’s your favorite Janet Era?
Rhythm Nation
Neema
Tell me about your look.
I love Janet so much, she inspires me so much. I’m here for her!
I’m guessing your favorite Janet era is Rhythm Nation?
Absolutely, yes.
What are you most looking forward to hearing live tonight?
Everything Janet has to offer!
Shatera
Talk to me about your outfit.
You know, I was trying to give a little bit of Janet with the boobs. Just carefree and a little sparkly. Just something simple.
Finish the sentence: “The best Janet era is_________________.”
Oooh, okay that’s hard. All of them are beautiful and great, but I will go with The Velvet Rope.
I take it you and your sisters are big fans of Janet?
Big enough!
Enrique
What’s the inspiration behind your look and how did you bring it together?
A friend just gave me a bunch of his hand-me-downs, so I lucked out. I had the shirt dry-cleaned to be crispy for J. I just wanted it to be shorts and boots.
Finish the sentence: “The best Janet era is_________________.”‘ ’93-’94 was the Janet era! I saw that tour seven times, and I was front row most of those times because Janet’s crew hooked me up.
So in total, how many times have you seen Janet Jackson live?
Over 20, I stopped counting! The first time I came to New York I came to see her on the All for You Tour at Madison Square Garden and that’s when I decided to move here a few years later. Janet brought me here. She has been my girl since I was a kid.
Candice
What are you looking forward to tonight, what do you want to
hear?
Probably “Control,” it’s my favorite song and it changed my life.
Is that your favorite Janet era?
It actually is! But I’ll be honest with you, Damita Jo is my favorite album.
Is this your first time seeing Janet live?
Ninth! Since 1986, I am literally her number-one fan. I don’t care what anyone else says!
Tell me about your graphic tees.
We actually had them custom-made! My nephew had them made, and they represent many Janet eras. Live concerts, Good Morning America performances, all the different things she was doing — she’s an icon.
Rhonda
This bodice is amazing, how did your look come together?
Well, when I was young, my family teased me for being a big Janet fan. This is my first time seeing her, so I had to go all out. I’m 56 years old. I love Janet. This is a corset, a one-piece, and I made it look like a dress, but the skirt actually comes all the way up. Then I got a cute little leather bra to go underneath and paired it with silver accessories.
As a first-timer, what are you most looking forward to tonight?
Oh my God! I hope she hits my favorite — “Alright,” which did inspire my outfit.
Finish the sentence: “The best Janet era is_________________.”
It has to be the late ’80s, early ’90s, when I was in high school!
Joann & Edward
What inspired your looks tonight?
Joann: It’s just a summer look, I’m wearing Celine & Balenciaga.
Edward: I’m wearing H&M with a Japanese designer that I found on 2nd Street.
How long have you been Janet fans?
Edward: Since “What Have You Done for Me Lately”!
What’s your favorite Janet era?
Joann: The ’80s. It was such a vibe. She was doing a lot of new dances and wearing oversized coats with shoulder pads.
Glenn and Virgil
These embellishments! did you make this yourself?
Glenn: I did it myself I love how she looks on this album, so I had to find a shirt on which I could “gem up” her bracelets. It took a whole day to do.
And this is very Lakers vibes …
Virgil: This is an original from the All for You Tour. It’s the first time I’ve worn it. When I buy her stuff, I don’t wear it, but I said I’ll let this one breathe for tonight.
How many times have you seen Janet?
Glenn: Maybe ten? It’s been a lot of times!
Finish the sentence: “The best Janet era is_________________.”
Glenn: For me, it’s hard. I can’t answer that! Wait, no. It’s “Control,” because that’s when I saw that she could give Michael a run for his money!
Virgil: I love Unbreakable only because it was the first CD that made me cry. It was very inspirational and affected me a lot. Before that, it was probably Control.
Michele
I’ve loved Janet ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper ever since she was little and was imitating Mae West. I brought my 88-year-old mother here. We’re trying to watch this concert and have a fabulous time. They filmed the “Because of Love” video at Madison Square Garden and I was there. I was sitting in section 126 watching her and it ended up being a part of the video.
Favorite Janet era?
The Velvet Rope. That’s when she came into herself for real. Secret Garden is where it’s at!
Nova and Vera
How did you bring your looks together?
Vera: Honestly, I was feeling very Damita Jo Janet vibes. I wanted my abs showing, and I wanted casual, cute, and breezy. It’s one of my favorite albums.
Nova: My inspiration for tonight was very “me,” like tapping into my style and something that I wanted to show. I wanted to do what I wanted and not have to have any expectations! Does it look like I’m going to a Nicki concert?
Have you seen Janet live before?
Vera: I’ve always wanted to. I’m a newer fan, like in the past few years.
Nova: I grew up with Janet and all the greats, even Nelly — an icon.
Best Janet era?
Nova: Circa 1998!
Vera: Velvet Rope. But as a “pop” era, Rhythm Nation. It has everything you’d ever want: story, it’s about real shit, and still sounds fresh ’til this day.
Phillip
Walk me through your look tonight.
The look is Damita Jo inspired, it’s very sexual and embodies freedom and sexuality — which I’m all about. The jacket is custom by my friend, inspired by the song she opened with on the last tour. I’m wearing a very similar look from that moment. Who doesn’t remember Janet in a bra in the ’90s and 200s all the time? The silver shorts are also by my friend. I’m embodying Janet because she’s everything to me. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be here.
Would you consider Janet to be a style icon?
Janet Jackson is the style icon. She has innovated every look and inspired every young girl who’s performing right now. She embodied the freedom and sexuality that everyone told her not to do! And she pushed every boundary and told everybody that I’m gonna wear what I wanna wear and it translates into her music. It’s welcoming, loving and free.
Best Janet era?
Every single era. There’s not just one.
