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.” The suit will take pride of place alongside all of the other personal items which are already on display. It will join other rare artefacts from Elvis Presley's estate, which include his 16 karat TCB Taking Care of Business ring, a Champagne bottle from Elvis's wedding to Priscilla that's signed by both the bride and groom and the gold phone that was beside his bed.

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.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. Exhibition curator Angie Marchese says: "The reaction to the exhibition has been amazing and now we're thrilled to be including the stunning gold suit that belonged to Elvis. 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. 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.

Elvis’ manager, Col. Tom Parker, commissioned famed tailor Nudie Cohn, to create a sparkling suit for Elvis to wear on stage. Nudie’s suits are famous for their intricate embroidery and rhinestones, and his client list included Hank Williams, Porter Wagoner, John Lennon, John Wayne, Cher and many more. The Colonel decided that his golden boy needed a golden suit, and so he commissioned Nudie (at left with Elvis) to fashion a gold-leaf tuxedo for Elvis to wear on stage during his personal appearances in 1957. The material Nudie chose for the gold clothing was lamé, which involves wrapping thin ribbons of metallic material around a fabric yarn. In the fifties, the process was most commonly used for fancy eveningwear and theatrical costumes. The most common colors of such garments were gold and silver. An issue with lamé is that the yarn tends to slip and separate with frequent usage, a weakness that, in the end, would prove the undoing of the Presley ensemble.

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. When you compare the suit Elvis is wearing on all the known pictures, to the one that is on display at Graceland nowadays, there is a difference. The head of the bird is completely different... which would either mean that there were two slightly different versions of the suit, or the head of the bird was altered (ie. nail's added) when Elvis wore the suit for the last time(s) in 1973 (in Las Vegas August/September??) Elvis was a style icon. He was effortlessly cool in his early days when he reportedly wore anything fancy and flashy that he could afford on stage, but would also dress down in blousons, pleated trousers, and two-tone shoes in his everyday attire.

He also wore it for the cover of his 1959 album 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong, which featured 16 images of Elvis in the suit on the cover. 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. Party Essential: Bring The King's spirit to your party by letting guests pose alongside the Elvis Gold Suit Cardboard Cutout. It's sure to become the centrepiece of attention. 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).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.

Another popular costume was the Aloha Eagle Suit, which Presley wore on “Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii,” a 1973 global television concert broadcast via satellite. Elvis first wore the suit in late February or March 1957 for a photo shoot, and then wore it on stage for the first time in Chicago on March 28, 1957, and continued to wear the suit throughout 1957.The actual suit is owned by EPE/Graceland, but as mentioned above, the original belt and cape are still in private hands.