Elvis Grand Heritage Gold Lame Suit Costume Adult

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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. 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.” The actual suit is owned by EPE/Graceland, but as mentioned above, the original belt and cape are still in private hands. 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.

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. 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. 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."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.” 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. 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. 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.

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. The outfit was so valuable that Elvis' notorious manager, Colonel Tom Parker, always had it specially transported in an armoured car under armed guard. 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.Despite being so iconic, Elvis only wore the full outfit three times as he found the gold trousers heavy to wear. Of all Elvis stage wear this one is without any doubt the most iconic, simply fantastic, and in turn making for one of the most recognizable Album covers in the world. I am sure glad i have had the chances to see it in person at Graceland, took photos at every angle in it's display case. The cape that was worn with the "1973 American Eagle" was not the original one. The one that was originally designed for the suit, was way bigger, and way too heavy for Elvis to use on stage (pictures below). 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.