For I Can’t Help Falling in Love with Fashion
Before there was Kourtney and Travis there was Elvis and Priscilla…just kidding do you think those two could ever compare. But for real in the 60s they were thee rock and roll couple. If you have not heard about the hype around the Elvis movie, well let me inform you, it is real and well deserved. Austin Butler gives a 2-hour and 39-minute encapturing performance that transports you back to the days of Elvis. I don’t think you will be able to leave the theater without wanting to listen to Elvis’ best hits on your way home. Now of course me being the fashion junkie I am, I was sitting through the film admiring Elvis’ extravagant suits and Priscilla’s timeless pieces. Which immediately meant it was time to hit the fashion books (or should I say web) and break down some of the couple's most iconic looks.
1959 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong. Nudie Cohn tailored this striking gold lamé suit for the cover of the album embrassing Elvis’s rise to flamboyance.
The beauty of fashion is that it is an art. It can encapture a feeling that words can not describe and Elvis himself captured those electric sensations that he gave to his audience through his wardrobe. From silk to leather, to embellishments, to pastels, to sequins—he wore it all. When Elvis started gaining traction going from a poor boy who grew up in the South to a rising star that was only on his way up, his outfits were frowned upon by many because that wasn’t how a “white boy” was supposed to dress. But he did not want to be put in a box as a style has no boundaries. He was inspired by the Black culture that he grew up in because that was all he knew and loved. The film portrays an excellent understanding of the fashion barriers that Elvis crossed to remain to true to himself.
1968 TV Comeback Special—The King of Rock and Roll makes a comeback in style taking him back to the top of the charts.
This look single-handedly put Elvis back on the map as Elvis Presley. After doing a number of movies Elvis wanted to make a comeback, but he and his manager disagreed on how exactly that was going to happen. It was intended to be a Christmas special, but Presley ditched the Christmas idea and came back as himself in a full head-to-toe leather look. His all-black look was synchronized by his iconic jet-black hair and long sideburns. It made the ladies go crazy and was the original Grease moment. Not only did Elvis unite himself back with his fans, but he united the nation by performing If I Can Dream attempting to restore peace during tumultuous times in the country. This moment was defining in both Elvis’ style and career.
Bill Belew brilliantly designed Elvis Presley’s legendary jumpsuits.
Did you think I was going to talk about Elvis’ wardrobe and not bring up his infamous swanky jumpsuits? Elvis was known for his dazzling jumpsuits and most famously his white suit pictured above. His jumpsuits started off at about 25 pounds and as he grew to love more embellishments they got as heavy as 75 pounds. The fabric that was used is called gabardine, which is often used for figure skaters so they can look amazing and move comfortably or in this case for Elvis so he could shake those hips. I would love to see a modern-day Versace-inspired Elvis jumpsuit. Just imagine the embroidery, jewels, sequins, and embellishments.
May 1, 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas the couple wed in a paisley suit and pearl embellished gown.
Now you most certainly can not have a King without a Queen and Priscilla Presley is nothing shy of a queen. Her exquisite taste always complemented Elvis perfectly. Above is a perfect example with one of their most iconic photos on their wedding day in 1967 which consisted of a very intimate ceremony of about 14 people in Las Vegas. The reason why she is a queen is this very reason: this dress was an off-the-rack purchase from a department store in Westwood. How much more effortless and perfect can you get than that? Of course, she had to accompany it with her classic beehive hairdo which she would get done once a week and would take approximately an hour and a half to tease.
Jet setting! At the time flying was a luxury so it was always an occasion to dress up.
We got back-to-back timeless looks from Priscilla from the wedding look to setting off on a jet for her honeymoon. The bow and t-bar kitten heels absolutely make this look. It is so simple and delicate to complement the little white dress. A classic contrast of black and white that was more than appropriate for the newlywed setting off to Palm Springs. Once again we see her classic hair and defined eyeliner and big bashful lashes. (Complete side note but can we talk about how much this looks like Lana Del Ray here)
Elvis and Priscilla attending George Klein’s wedding, one of Elvis’ life long friends
As the decade changed so did Priscilla's style. She goes from your traditional 60s mod-style to a more free and spirited look in the 70s. There is nothing better than seeing someone's fashion evolve because that means they are growing as a person and trying new things. You may look back at some of your own old outfits and think to yourself “what was I thinking?”, but really you shouldn’t because that was an expression of you as your purest self at the time. I haven’t quite seen a look from Priscilla where I have thought that but you get the idea. You can see here that she has switched up her iconic hairstyle to a longer flowier style. Now the dress was for George Klein and Barbra Little’s wedding in 1970. This electric blue color looks fabulous on her and compliments the color of her hair to perfection. Not to mention the shape of the dress is so flattering and fits her small figure like a glove. She really is the star here…the King can step aside!
The Beverley Hill’s boutique founded in 1973 by Priscilla and her business partner Olivia Bis
The same year Priscilla Presley called it quits with Elvis she also became a businesswoman starting her own quaint boutique. It became a go-to spot for several celebrities including Barbra Streisand. It only stayed open for about 3 years, but Priscilla was inspired by Olivia Bis, her business partner, who previously had her own store. They loved the feminine flowy dresses and designing together. The place also had the most picturesque look to it on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard.
The one takeaway here that we can learn from the iconic couple is be who you are and don’t be afraid to show it. As Elvis said, “You only pass through this life once; you don't come back for an encore.” So you mine as well live it being true to yourself…thank you, thank you very much!
