October 1, 2012

Meet Nudie Cohn

Not well known but you have seen his work. A wonderful read from Collectors Weekly:
Meet the Man Who Made Cowboys Love Rhinestones
Though it might seem like country-western stars sprang from the womb wearing golden boots and rhinestone suits, it wasn�t always so. In fact, we owe such flashy styles to a Ukrainian-born Jew named Nudie Cohn, who was the first to mix Nashville and Hollywood, making it hip to be ostentatious.

While Cohn�s name might not be familiar, you�ve certainly seen his famous Nudie suits, ranging from Gram Parsons� marijuana-leaf masterpiece to Elvis Presley�s outfit of glitzy gold lam�. Taking his cues from burlesque stage shows, Cohn�s business boomed in the flush years after World War II, when people weren�t afraid to flaunt their wealth. Superstars like Bob Dylan, Cher, David Byrne, John Wayne, and John Lennon all loved his wild outfits�the gaudier, the better.
So much more at the site -- just go and read. His Granddaughter - Jamie Lee Nudie runs her own website: Nudie's Rodeo Tailors Lots more photos and stories. People like this are who made America great. We need more Nudie Cohns Posted by DaveH at October 1, 2012 8:55 PM