A major new biographical exhibition exploring one of the most iconic and influential figures of the 20th Century, Elvis: Direct from Graceland, is from 19 March 2022 – 17 July 2022 at Bendigo Art Gallery. Created in partnership with Graceland, this exclusive exhibition explores the extraordinary life and style of Elvis Presley.

From his humble childhood on the poverty line in small-town Mississippi, Elvis grew up immersed in the rich and diverse music cultures of the deep South. Only two years after cutting his first single at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, Elvis had signed a major record deal and virtually overnight shot to super-stardom, the likes of which had never been seen before. In those early heady years, he purchased Graceland and created the private haven he would never sell, despite his ever-increasing fame over the following two decades.

In a time before celebrities had teams of personal stylists, Elvis carefully crafted his own look, borrowing from eclectic sources to perfect a ground-breaking new style. Decked out in threads from the ultra-hip Lansky Brothers store on Beale Street in Downtown Memphis, with slick coiffed hair and black mascara, Elvis’ appearance was as sensational as his music.

His audacious style evolved over the decades: from the soft trousers and argyle socks of his youth, to the leather rocker of 1968, to the flamboyant bling of the 1970s. Elvis maintained long-term partnerships with not only the Lanskys, but designers such as Bill Belew – creator of the karate-inspired stage suits that rapidly evolved into the bejewelled jumpsuits of Las Vegas.

Direct from the Graceland archive, the exhibition features a wide range of costumes and ultra-cool outfits, vintage memorabilia, and treasured items from his beloved Graceland home. Fashion highlights include Elvis and Priscilla’s wedding outfits, the repurposed ’68 Special costume he wore to meet President Nixon, the diamond-encrusted Maltese cross necklace designed by Linda Thompson, and a dazzling array of Vegas jumpsuits. Personal treasures include his gold telephone, karate gi, his childhood crayon box from Tupelo, and the bongos Priscilla gifted him on their first Christmas together in 1959.

This exhibition is one not to be missed. Book your tickets here.

Main image: Elvis Presley, publicity still for Jailhouse Rock, 1957. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

Image two: Elvis on the bridge in Bad Nauheim Germany, 1959. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

Image three: Still from Blue Hawaii, Elvis with his 1960 MG MGA 1600 MKI, 1961. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

Image four: Elvis and Priscilla Presley cutting their wedding cake, at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, 1 May 1967. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

Image five: Elvis Presley strolls the grounds of his Graceland estate, 1957. Photo by Michael Ochs/Getty Images. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

Image six: Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, 1970.
Photo by Frank Carroll/Sygma. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

Image seven: Elvis Presley performing ‘If I Can Dream’ at the finale of the 1968 NBC television special, Singer Presents… Elvis, later known as the ‘Comeback Special’. Photograph: Fathom Events/CinEvents © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.

Image eight: Elvis in a studded blue jumpsuit on stage in Las Vegas, 1972. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved. Elvis Presley™ © 2022 ABG EPE IP LLC.