Louis Vuitton removes Michael Jackson-inspired clothing from new collection

Is Michael Jackson’s legacy going downhill after the explosive documentary, Leaving Neverland was aired by HBO? After radio stations in Quebec, Netherlands decided to stop playing the late King of Pop’s music, Louis Vuitton the French fashion house has decided to no longer producer pieces from the autumn/winter 2019 menswear collection that directly reference Michael Jackson.

Louis Vuitton is pulling Michael Jackson -related items from its fall 2019 menswear collection according to Reuters. The decision by the French powerhouse is reported to come about after HBO’s airing of Leaving Neverland, a two-part documentary featuring interviews with two men who claim they were sexually abused by Jackson when they were children.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Louis Vuitton released the following statement: “The documentary Leaving Neverland featuring two men who allege they were sexually abused as children by Michael Jackson has caused us the greatest pain.... It is important to mention that we were unaware of this documentary at the time of the last LV FW19 Men’s Show.”

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The label’s collection featured several pieces that paid homage to Jackson that were then intended to go on sale in the summer which included a T-shirt with an image of Jackson's dance shoes on it and shirts etched with his character from his 1978 movie "The Wiz" — debuted during a fashion show in January a week before the documentary "Leaving Neverland" screened at the Sundance Film Festival.

"I am aware that in light of this documentary the show has caused emotional reactions. I strictly condemn any form of child abuse, violence or infringement against any human rights.

"My intention for this show was to refer to Michael Jackson as a pop culture artist. It referred only to his public life that we all know and to his legacy that has influenced a whole generation of artists and designers," Virgil Abloh, men's artistic director at LV, said in a statement to the fashion news site WWD.

Representatives for the fashion house said the revelations had caused the label "the greatest pain" and the company was unaware of the documentary at the time of the show.