![]() ![]() I got to have that in Elvis," says Belew. ![]() As a wardrobe designer, Bob Mackie had a perfect muse and a perfect canvas in Cher. "The simplest outfits that didn't seem particularly remarkable on the rack transformed into something spectacular when Elvis put them on. "You could be daring as a designer and put anything on Elvis and he could make it work," says Belew. Los Angeles designer Bill Belew, who designed an iconic black leather suit as part of the wardrobe for Elvis' 1968 "Comeback Special" on TV, came up with the jumpsuits partly to allow freedom of movement for the karate-style moves in Presley's stage act. With 56 jumpsuits, part of Graceland's collection of 88, the exhibition, "Elvis Jumpsuits: All Access," will be on display for two years at the Sincerely Elvis Museum at Graceland, along with photographs and video footage of Elvis in Las Vegas and on tour. Elvis eventually phased out the capes, but the jumpsuits remain as what designers call "works of art" that go on display beginning today in the biggest collection of Elvis stage wear ever mounted by Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises. The jumpsuits began with Elvis' interest in two-piece karate-style outfits and soon evolved into rhinestone and metal-studded jumpsuits with elaborate belts and flashy capes. It was the kind of reaction that helped turn Elvis into a fashion statement from 1969 to his death in 1977, during the major concert era of his career. Elvis, who wore about 120 jumpsuits through the years, once said, "If the songs don't go over, we can do a medley of costumes." "Gaudy, vulgar, magnificent," the New York Times wrote when Elvis Presley appeared onstage in a jumpsuit with a cape lined in gold with a scarlet collar. Chris McAdory makes sure the case glass sparkles. Elvis Presley Enterprises is opening a new exhibit with 56 of Elvis Presley's jumpsuits. ![]()
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