Elvis on stage for the groundbreaking concert Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite, 1973. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.
direct from Graceland The king of rock and roll joins a distinguished list of guests to be hosted by the Bendigo Art Gallery. By Dianne Dempsey While the blockbuster has become a well and truly established tradition in the art world, some eyebrows have been raised at the thought of Elvis Presley coming to town and having his way amongst the hallowed statues of the Bendigo Art Gallery. It may have been OK to host the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Mary Quant, but is Elvis a dance move too far? Curator of the Elvis: Direct from Graceland exhibition Lauren Ellis argues that Elvis is a natural progression for the Bendigo gallery which has been celebrating style icons and fashion history for the past decade or so. “We’ve been aware that we haven’t really looked at a seminal figure in men’s fashion, style and culture as yet,” she says. “Fashion and style history is obviously one of our strengths and Elvis Presley actually had a radical sense of style; so part of this biographical exhibition will be about how he created this style
himself, almost like an artist.” Lauren hopes the exhibition will impress upon the general public that Elvis’s iconic style was not imposed on him in the way of the Monkees or the Spice Girls. “From early on, Elvis was aware of his appearance,” she says. “He was a creative, unique young man who became more determined in his own individualistic fashion and style – alongside his music. He grew his hair and sideburns, wore dress pants, box jackets and colourful clothes. He even went into his classes at high school wearing make-up.” She says the Memphis clothing store Lansky Bros, was a major influence on Elvis. The store was patronised by musicians such as Count Basie, Lionel Hampton and B.B. King. And like Elvis, these musicians were about presenting themselves in strong, vivid clothes that would represent their music and enhance their performances. 19
