I wanted the clothes to be easy and seductive,” he said in the 1999 interview. “And I never wanted anything to compromise his masculinity.”

Belew said in one interview that, in watching the reaction of fans to Presley’s onstage costumes, “we began to get more elaborate.” 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 full suit for a photo session, probably in Hollywood in February or early March 1957. He then headed home to Memphis for a couple of weeks rest before starting his spring tour of the upper mid-West and Canada. He first wore the complete gold suit on stage in Chicago’s International Amphitheatre the evening of March 28, 1957. Elvis’ manager, Col. Tom Parker, commissioned famed tailor Nudie Cohn, to create a sparkling suit for Elvis to wear on stage. Nudie’s suits are famous for their intricate embroidery and rhinestones, and his client list included Hank Williams, Porter Wagoner, John Lennon, John Wayne, Cher and many more. The outfit was so valuable that Elvis' notorious manager, Colonel Tom Parker, always had it specially transported in an armoured car under armed guard.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. Belew, whose many TV credits as a costume designer included “The Flip Wilson Show,” “Mr. Belvedere” and “Santa Barbara,” received an Emmy nomination for the 1980 special “The Carpenters: Music, Music, Music.” The suit will take pride of place alongside all of the other personal items which are already on display.

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: 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. 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.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. 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. 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.

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.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.

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. 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.” Elvis's performances in Las Vegas were legendary, drawing audiences from all corners of the globe. His residency at the International Hotel (now the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino) in the late 1960s and early 1970s marked a significant chapter in his career. The energy, charisma, and unparalleled showmanship he brought to the stage solidified his status as a true entertainment icon.When you compare the suit Elvis is wearing on all the known pictures, to the one that is on display at Graceland nowadays, there is a difference. The head of the bird is completely different... which would either mean that there were two slightly different versions of the suit, or the head of the bird was altered (ie. nail's added) when Elvis wore the suit for the last time(s) in 1973 (in Las Vegas August/September??) 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. Belew had already worked on a Petula Clark special with producer-director Steve Binder when Binder asked him to do the wardrobe for the hourlong Presley show.