However, the trousers were restored and have been displayed with the full outfit at Graceland after the estate bought the gold suit from Colonel Parker following Elvis' death in 1977. You could be daring as a designer and put anything on Elvis and he could make it work,” Belew said in a news release in 2007 when Graceland in Memphis launched a two-year special exhibit featuring 56 additional Presley stage costumes in its visitor center, which also has a permanent costume exhibit. He also wore it for the cover of his 1959 album 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong, which featured 16 images of Elvis in the suit on the cover. Nudie, a flamboyant country and western tailor, was famous for putting rhinestones on clothing for many country stars of the day. Colonel Parker, inspired by a gold costume that Liberace wore, told him: “I want you to make something for him [Elvis] that’s out-of-this-world spectacular.”

The original belt, and the cape are in private hands. Elvis himself gave them to a young boy, dressed in a jumpsuit like Elvis', during the show on June 30th, 1973. Added Belew, who is said to have later helped remove the famous leather outfit from Presley’s sweat-soaked body: “He was a great person to dress. He had a terrific build at that point.” Polston said that when Elvis was preparing to make his return to live performing in Las Vegas in 1969 at the International Hotel, he asked Belew to create something unique that he could easily move around in like his karate gi. The suit will take pride of place alongside all of the other personal items which are already on display. The Colonel decided that his golden boy needed a golden suit, and so he commissioned Nudie (at left with Elvis) to fashion a gold-leaf tuxedo for Elvis to wear on stage during his personal appearances in 1957. The material Nudie chose for the gold clothing was lamé, which involves wrapping thin ribbons of metallic material around a fabric yarn. In the fifties, the process was most commonly used for fancy eveningwear and theatrical costumes. The most common colors of such garments were gold and silver. An issue with lamé is that the yarn tends to slip and separate with frequent usage, a weakness that, in the end, would prove the undoing of the Presley ensemble.It will join other rare artefacts from Elvis Presley's estate, which include his 16 karat TCB Taking Care of Business ring, a Champagne bottle from Elvis's wedding to Priscilla that's signed by both the bride and groom and the gold phone that was beside his bed. It didn’t take the designer long to come up with his idea for what Elvis should wear in the concert segment before a live audience. Two almost identical versions were made of this suit, which were both worn during the 'Aloha shows'. Apparently, the suit Elvis wore during the rehearsal show was slightly bigger. It's also the version Elvis wore later on tour (and in Vegas) in 1973 and 1974. That gold lamé suit turns 60 years old this year, but it looks as brilliant as ever – and it has a new home at Graceland’s new entertainment complex, Elvis Presley’s Memphis. But more on that in a bit.

Nowadays EPE/Graceland has both of the suits, one of the (three) capes, and the 'third belt'. A private collector (LM) owns one of the capes, as well as one of the first two belts, apparently also Ed Parker has one of the capes & belts on his possession. Also the original long cape is in private hands. It was sold during one of EPE's auctions. Colonel Tom Parker went to Nudie Cohn, of Nudie’s Tailors in North Hollywood, to create this ensemble for Elvis. Being known for creating over-the-top costumes for Hank Snow, it seemed Nudie was up to the task.

Popular Posts

Belew said in one interview that, in watching the reaction of fans to Presley’s onstage costumes, “we began to get more elaborate.” The outfit was so valuable that Elvis' notorious manager, Colonel Tom Parker, always had it specially transported in an armoured car under armed guard. As the late designer Joe Casely-Hayford put it, “Elvis was at the forefront in defining a new anti-establishment visual language." He was the original rebel, but he made that status accessible. "Aside from good looks, he knew the appeal of being an outsider. Even today, a distilled version of his look has filtered down into the wardrobes of any self-respecting teenage rebel."

Elvis first wore the suit in late February or March 1957 for a photo shoot, and then wore it on stage for the first time in Chicago on March 28, 1957, and continued to wear the suit throughout 1957.One of the most recognisable symbols of his legacy is the legendary gold lamé suit. Let's delve into the history and significance of this iconic outfit and how you can add a touch of Elvis's glamour to your next event with the Elvis Gold Suit Cardboard Cutout from Star Cutouts. Party Essential: Bring The King's spirit to your party by letting guests pose alongside the Elvis Gold Suit Cardboard Cutout. It's sure to become the centrepiece of attention. Born in Crocet, Va. on May 20, 1931, Belew served in the Army from 1952 to 1954, a stint that included working as a clerk in a medical unit during the Korean War. Elvis pushed gender boundaries throughout his career, famously making floral prints cool in the Sixties when he wore a red hibiscus shirt for the movie Blue Hawaii. Prada, Dior, and Saint Laurent have all since adapted the Aloha style.

I wanted the clothes to be easy and seductive,” he said in the 1999 interview. “And I never wanted anything to compromise his masculinity.” The actual suit is owned by EPE/Graceland, but as mentioned above, the original belt and cape are still in private hands.Are you an Elvis enthusiast or planning an event that needs a touch of class and nostalgia? Look no further than the Elvis Gold Suit Cardboard Cutout from Star Cutouts. This life-sized representation of Elvis in his famous gold suit is a fantastic addition to any gathering. Here are some creative ways to make the most of this standout piece: