Bill Belew
Bill Belew | |
---|---|
Born | William Lewis Belew May 20, 1931 Crozet, Virginia, U.S. |
Died | January 7, 2008 Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, California, U.S. | (aged 76)
Education | Parsons School of Design in New York |
Occupation | Fashion designer |
Known for | Elvis Presley's costumes and personal wardrobe from 1968 until Presley's death in 1977 |
William Lewis Belew (May 20, 1931 – January 7, 2008) was an American costume designer who created stage outfits worn, among others, by
While he made costumes for plays, musicals, operas, ballets, TV specials and TV series,
In an interview Belew explained why most of the jumpsuits were white:
The lighting [in Las Vegas] was still in its early stages. And we found that the color that worked the best was white. It allowed them to change the colors on him, where as black would absorb all the color. And it was hard to highlight him. And we experimented with blue which was one of his favorite colors. Red. But it just ended up that white was the best thing and, of course, you know, you want the star to be the person, you know, and not the wardrobe.[12]
During the 1970s Belew designed Elvis' offstage wardrobe, as well.[9]
Among the most famous of Belew's Elvis jumpsuits are the American Eagle (created for the 1973
The elaborate embroidery, which was getting a more prominent role on the jumpsuits in 1974–1977, was the work of Gene Doucette.[11][14]
In the 1970's, Bill Belew was in big demand. He was busy doing television shows and movies, so he would give Gene the blank suits and Gene would design them himself. Gene designed most of the suits from 1972 until Elvis' death. He designed the more elaborate suits such as the Aloha, Peacock, Sundial, Tiger, and American Eagle.[15]
Belew died at the age of 76 from diabetes-related complications in
References
- ^ ISBN 0-7893-0987-4.
- ^ a b c Dennis McLellan (2008-01-17). "Designer was called 'man who dressed the King'". Los Angeles Times.
- ISBN 0-316-33222-4.
- ^ Thomas, Mike (1999-12-18). "Bill Belew, the man who dressed the King". Salon Media Group. Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
- ^ "Obituaries". The Washington Post. 2008-01-22.
- ^ "Bill Belew". BK Enterprises, Costume Co, Inc. Archived from the original on 3 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
- ^ a b c "Bill Belew: Celebrity costumier who created jewelled jumpsuits for Elvis". The Times. London. 2008-01-27. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
- ^ a b Miller, Stephen (2008-02-02). "He Took the Crown of Costume King When Elvis Put on His Jumpsuit". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. p. A12. Retrieved 2009-11-09.
- ^ ISBN 0-7434-5603-3.
- ^ Guralnick P. 299
- ^ a b Swash, Rosie (2010-01-08). "The King and I: How I designed a jumpsuit fit for Elvis". London: Guardian News and Media Limited. Archived from the original on 11 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
- ^ Jenkins, Scott. "Interview with Bill Belew". Retrieved 2009-11-09.
- ^ Ilnytzky, Ula (2008-01-27). "Elvis' peacock jumpsuit sells for $300K". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
- ^ "Elvis Jumpsuits: All Access". Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Archived from the original on 25 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-10.
- ^ "Gene Doucette". BK Enterprises, Costume Co, Inc. Archived from the original on 2010-01-01. Retrieved 2009-11-10.