American fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger has described his first meeting with the late King of Pop Michael Jackson as “crazy”.
Hilfiger recalled meeting Jackson at his “deserted” Neverland home to discuss plans to collaborate on a clothing line, and he could not believe his eyes when he saw elephants and a giraffe in the grounds of the abode, reports pagesix.com.
The designer delved on the music legend — who died in 2009 — in his memoir “American Dreamer: My Life in Fashion and Business”.
He wrote: “A choo-choo train, with a conductor and everything, picked us up. We were driving through Neverland, and no one was there. As we passed the Ferris wheel, it started up. Every seat was empty. We saw teacup rides and a racetrack and an amphitheater, all deserted.
“We pulled up in front of the house, and a butler came out wearing white gloves. ‘Hello,’ he said. ‘Michael will be coming; he is expecting you.’ We were standing in front of this massive gingerbread-style house when a giraffe walked by, followed by a string of baby elephants. (Hilfiger’s brother) Ally and (Hilfiger’s daughter) Andy were looking at each other, like ‘This is crazy!'”
Hilfiger further described the experience: “Prince and Paris came barreling down the stairs dressed as characters from a Broadway show or ‘The Sound of Music’ – velveteen knickers, dirndl jumper, ruffled blouses, patent leather shoes, each in full make-up, their hair bleached blonde with dark roots. Blanket was an infant in nanny’s arms.”
