N09014

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Lot 41
  • 41

William Lewis Belew (Bill Belew)

Estimate
5,000 - 10,000 USD
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Description

  • William Lewis Belew (Bill Belew)
  • Unique Sketch of an "Elvis Now" Stage Suit
  • Ink on paper
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Edition 01/01.

Catalogue Note

Donated by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

The inclusion of this ink-on-paper sketch by celebrated Las Vegas costume designer Bill Belew is Jony and Marc's nod to drawing as a key component of the creative process. It also illustrates that humour has an important place in design, and this study for the "Elvis Now" stage suit - which played a defining role in the King's final phase as an American Pop icon - is informed by a subtler wit than meets the eye. Belew's distinctive collars were inspired by Napoleon's wardrobe, and he chose them to frame and draw attention to Presley's face. Brilliantly, Belew married the French imperial style to 1970s Vegas glamour by matching the collar with pointed sleeve cuffs, and using them as punctuation marks for a rhinestone-studded bell-bottomed jumpsuit guaranteed to elicit screams of joy from Presley's adoring public.