Memphis, Tenn. – February 24, 2025 – Elvis Presley’s Graceland has debuted a revitalized “Elvis: Dressed to Rock” exhibit, featuring over 100 of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s legendary jumpsuits, capes, belts, and accessories from his iconic 1969-1977 concert era. The exhibit, located within the Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum at Elvis Presley’s Memphis complex, marks its first major update since opening in 2022, with 15 newly displayed jumpsuits returning to Graceland after touring globally as part of the Direct from Graceland exhibition series.
The refreshed exhibit offers fans an immersive look at Elvis’ flamboyant stage style, showcasing a 21-foot floor-to-ceiling display of his costumes, many designed by the renowned Bill Belew. Highlights include the Aloha from Hawaii jumpsuit, worn during the first-ever satellite-broadcast concert in 1973, and the Aztec Sun jumpsuit, the last stage outfit Elvis wore before his death in 1977. Other notable pieces include the White & Black Brocade Collar Suit from his 1970 Las Vegas performances, the Rope Collar Suit featured on the On Stage album cover, and the Black Butterfly Suit, adorned with golden butterfly studs, worn in 1972. The exhibit also features original sketches by Belew, detailed capes, studded boots, and Elvis’ TCB ring, a staple of his later performances.
“These jumpsuits are not just costumes; they are works of art,” said Angie Marchese, Vice President of Graceland Archives and Exhibits. “They amplified Elvis’ magnetic stage presence and defined rock style for a generation.” The exhibit, which also includes two-piece suits, jewelry, and performance footage, underscores how Belew’s designs, often inspired by Elvis’ love for karate and dynamic stage movements, revolutionized men’s fashion in the 1970s. Marchese noted that the white and off-white jumpsuits, a signature of Elvis’ Vegas residencies, were chosen to make him stand out under stage lights, a tactic he learned from Memphis Blues musicians.
The update coincides with Graceland’s year-long celebration of Elvis’ 90th birthday, marked by additional exhibits like “90 for 90,” which tells 90 curated stories through artifacts from Graceland’s 1.5 million-item archive, and the upcoming “Elvis: The Aloha from Hawaii Experience” and “Colonel Parker’s World of Showbusiness.” Since opening to the public in 1982, Graceland has attracted over 650,000 visitors annually, cementing its status as a National Historic Landmark and a global pilgrimage site for music fans.
