Michael Jackson’s fashion influence lives on

Like virtually every singer of her generation, Lady Gaga owes an enormous creative debt to Michael Jackson. And it goes way beyond the innovative role he played as a trailblazer of the music video (although Gaga's latest mega-efforts in that field certainly do credit to the form.) Jackson was dressing in over-the-top metallic ensembles back when Gaga was still in diapers.

•InStyle.com: Michael Jackson's 10 greatest fashion hits

•InStyle.com: Lady Gaga's most Gaga outfits

•InStyle.com: Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

And though the elaborate masked outfits Gaga's worn everywhere from the MTV VMAs to her little sister's high school graduation may have a high-fashion precedent, they also call to mind the period when a paparazzi-weary Jackson began parading around Beverly Hills in a black surgeon-style mask. (In Bahrain, he wore burkas.)

Rihanna, too, has lately taken a few pages out of Jackson's book. Last week, an exec at her label announced that "our bar for [her next] album is Michael Jackson's 'Thriller,'" meaning they're hoping every song on it is a hit. She sampled his "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" for her "Don't Stop the Music," and she's been seen in a number of Jackson-esque garments, most recently a pair of shining ankle socks that strongly evoked his signature sequined pair.

•InStyle.com: Michael Jackson's 10 greatest fashion hits

•InStyle.com: Lady Gaga's most Gaga outfits

•InStyle.com: Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

But one would be hard-pressed to find a pop star who hasn't been influenced by Jackson's inimitable style. This month, Usher performed his current smash, "OMG," in a natty black hat and jacket.

Justin Timberlake, too, has borrowed Jackson's sense of showmanship -- and, at times, his fedora. In 2001, they performed together at Jackson's 30th Anniversary Celebration.

•InStyle.com: Michael Jackson's 10 greatest fashion hits

•InStyle.com: Lady Gaga's most Gaga outfits

•InStyle.com: Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

The rhinestone-laden jean shorts that Katy Perry donned for her new "California Gurls" clip call Jackson to mind -- he loved to add improbable amounts of glitz to quotidian items, like jackets, shirts, and (again) socks.

And the shining metallic ornament Beyonce wore on her left hand throughout the "Single Ladies" era seemed inspired, in part, by Jackson's single glove.

•InStyle.com: Michael Jackson's 10 greatest fashion hits

•InStyle.com: Lady Gaga's most Gaga outfits

•InStyle.com: Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson

Beyonce's also worn a very Michael military-style jacket.

Even 11-year-old actor Jaden Smith -- who was born well after the King of Pop's heyday (and is himself the spawn of another musician, former Fresh Prince Will Smith) -- recently pledged allegiance to Jackson's style: At the June 10th premiere of his film "The Karate Kid," he walked the red carpet in black pants, a crisp white shirt -- and a carbon copy of Jackson's red-and-black leather "Thriller" jacket.

•InStyle.com: Michael Jackson's 10 greatest fashion hits

•InStyle.com: Lady Gaga's most Gaga outfits

•InStyle.com: Stars pay tribute to Michael Jackson