High
quality photo book to please fans
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Elvis
Fashion From Memphis to Vegas, Julie Mundy in association with
Graceland, iUniverse, USA, 2003, ISBN: 0789309874
Julie
Mundy's latest Elvis book is a stunner, one you will revisit
time and time again to marvel at the deliciously eclectic
range of The King's apparel.
Focusing
on a very important and rarely covered aspect of The King's
impact, his clothing, the book grabs you from its first few
pages, pleasantly assaulting your senses visually and narratively.
As
with any book that is essentially a photographic record, book
design is critical. And for Elvis Fashion, Paul Guapante has
done a wonderful job. The "in-your-face" visuals are presented
as a heady mix of vibrant color shots and for most of the 50s
fashion, great duotone pictures.
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As
usual, Mundy's text is rock solid giving the reader a real sense
of the socio-cultural reaction to The King of Rock & Roll at different
stages of his career:
"Elvis'
sexually charged stage act and the devotion of his fans caused a
media frenzy. Girls screamed, wailed, and passed out at his feet,
while the boys played it cool - they wore their hair long, copied
his clothes, and were sent home from school in disgrace."
Elvis
Fashion is a fantastic record of The King's clothing and its evolution
from the "cool" pink and black of the 50s to the rhinestone studded
jumpsuits of the 70s. Every facet of Elvis' attire, both on and
off stage, is presented and the vivid colors, styles and variety
are breathtaking:
- the
famous Nudie Cohn designed Gold tuxedo
- the
black leather outfit for the '68 Comeback Special
- pegged
pants
- Elvis'
Army fatigues
- an
impressive purple suede suit bought for Elvis by Priscilla
- the
Aloha Eagle jumpsuit and cape
- Elvis'
incredible "supefly" outfits Elvis' "western" clothing during
his Rising Sun phase
- a
striking rainbow colored leather suit
There
are also potent images of an array of clothing accessories: belts,
hats, scarves and police badges and many added extras like samples
of Bill Belew's hand drawn designs for the 70s jumpsuits.
The
images have great dramatic effect as striking montages and up-close
stills.
Verdict:
Elvis not only changed the course of popular music but he was
also a fashion trendsetter. Julie Mundy has produced a fitting tribute
to this often flamboyant aspect of the Elvis Presley legacy. Recommended!
Elvis
Fashion is available from www.amazon.com
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to comment on this review
Copyright
EIN, 2004
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