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Press Release On Elvis Fashion: From Memphis To Vegas

August 23, 2003 | Book
Following is a press release from Universe Publishing about a great new Elvis book done in collaboration with EPE. Can you tell how excited they are about it?

HE WAS NOTHIN’ BUT A CLOTHES HOUND!

"I would have given anything to design for Elvis..."
— Gianni Versace

To Elvis Presley, clothes were second in importance only to music. An avid collector of garments, accessories, and costumes, many made just for him, Elvis became was as much a fashion icon as a rock ‘n’ roll trendsetter. He loved clothes and had an uncanny eye for what would shine on stage, and maintain his sexy persona off stage. Elvis loved to be part of the process and often conferred with his tailors, costumers, and accessory designers, working his initials into their designs whenever possible! Featured in ELVIS FASHION- From Memphis to Vegas are working sketches of costumes, and comments from favorite designers like Nudie, the Rodeo Tailor, Vegas costumer-extraordinare Bill Belew, 50s Rat-Pack tailor Sy Devore, and the legendary Oscar-winning Edith Head, who designed many of his film wardrobes. Also included is fascinating ephemera like a record of his running tab at a Memphis jeweler, and invoices for clothing described down to the minutest detail: “light-blue double-knit suit w/lattice patterned jacket front in navy blue leather accented w/brass studs…lined in patterned silk.”

Graceland gave author Julie Mundy unprecedented access to the Elvis Presley’s costume archive and allowed her to select an incredible range of Elvis’s famous jumpsuits, leather pants, embroidered and jeweled capes, and accessories from hats to belts to custom boots. Mundy chronicles the development of Elvis’ taste, and his growth into a true fashion icon paralleled by his meteoric rise to stardom. Multitudes of costumes from the Graceland collection were photographed especially for this book, and will be enhanced by archival photos of Elvis wearing them, both on stage and off.

Elvis’s velvety voice, smolderingly good looks, charisma, and personal style all contributed to making him “The King of Rock ’n’ Roll.” Beloved by millions, Elvis is known in every corner of the world and is one of the most important and enduring figures ever in American popular culture.

A comprehensive look at the gorgeous clothes that were so much a part of what made Elvis Elvis is long overdue. Stunningly designed, this book is as tasty a package as Elvis was himself! An absolute must for Elvis Presley fans everywhere.

About the Author

Julie Mundy is a music journalist and the author of The Official Elvis Presley Fan Club Commemorative Album (Virgin, ’97). In 1995 she was commissioned to re-launch The Official Elvis Presley Fan Club Magazine, and Elvis Monthly to be ready for the 20th anniversary of Elvis’ death. Julie Mundy lives in London and is currently working on two book projects, one of which celebrates the 100th anniversary of Las Vegas.

Specifications

ELVIS FASHION: From Memphis to Vegas
By Julie Mundy, in Association with Graceland®
Hardcover / 9” x 12” / 208 pages / 200+ color and black & white photographs and illustrations
$45. US, $70. Canadian
Published by Universe Publishing, an imprint of Rizzoli International Publications
ISBN: 0-7893-0987-4
Release date: December 1, 2003

The cover has not yet been confirmed as the definitive cover.
Source:EPE - Elvis Presley Enterprises

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Andrew Hearn wrote on August 23, 2003
Essential Elvis, the UK's official Elvis magazine, will be publishing a unique article written exclusively by Julie Mundy herself looking at the making of Elvis Fashion: From Memphis To Las Vegas. The feature, which will be in our September / October edition, includes several amazing photos that will not be used in the book. These illustrations are from Julie Mundy's private collection. Don't miss it. Out in about a week.