Elvis Presley was totally unique.
No one sounded like him. No one dressed like him. If you've been to Graceland, you know its design is totally one-of-a-kind.
Elvis didn't follow trends; he was a trendsetter. People watched him slick back his black hair into the perfect pompadour, were dazzled by his eye-catching stage wear and took notice of his custom Pink Cadillac - and then tried their best to mimic his style. He turned a Southern Colonial mansion into a home like only the king could, complete with countless mirrors, a stylish TV room that bears his own personal motto and a mind-blowing billiards room. Who else would dare bring the jungle into his own den?
During Elvis Week 2016, we'll delve into Elvis' personal style with a panel called Designing for the King, where three designers - Bill Eubanks, Lowell Hays and Hal Lansky - will talk about what it was like to decorate for, dress and accessorize the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
While still in interior design school, Bill Eubanks' met none other than Elvis Presley, who invited him to Graceland to take a look at the home's interior design. The guys hit it off, and Bill designed several rooms at Graceland, including the Pool Room and the TV Room.
The TV Room and Pool Room are two of the most visually stunning rooms at Graceland. The TV Room features a mirrored ceiling (be sure to look up and snap a selfie while you're here!) and a lightning bolt painted on the wall in brilliant yellow, navy and white. The Pool Room is drenched in fabric - more than 350 yards, covering the walls and ceiling - as well as colorful and exotic furniture and decorations.
Bill's successes continued after his time at Graceland. He's been named one of the top 50 designers by Elements of Living and receive the inaugural "Star of Design" award from the Design Center of the Americas.
Before Elvis changed the game with his eye-catching jumpsuits, he got many of the fashionable suits he wore on stage - and on TV - at Lansky Bros., right here in Memphis.
Elvis started shopping at Lansky Bros. when he was in high school and befriended the store's owner, Bernard. In fact, Elvis sported some Lansky threads on his first "Ed Sullivan Show" appearance. Lansky Bros. became a hot spot for musicians, like Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, to shop.
Lansky Bros. has two locations in Memphis, and Bernard Lansky's son, Hal, will join us during Elvis Week to discuss how his father and Elvis worked together to create the king's distinctive style.
When fans think of some of the king's most famous pieces of jewelry, chances are they're thinking of a piece created by jeweler Lowell Hays.
Lowell and Elvis began working together on jewelry designs in 1970. While Elvis and Priscilla designed the TCB logo, it was Lowell who brought Elvis' famous TCB ring to life. Lowell made more than 200 pieces of jewelry for Elvis; in addition to the TCB ring, he also created Elvis' lion pendant and chain, "Aloha from Hawaii" horseshoe ring, American flag pin and much more.
Lowell now uses those molds he used to create Elvis' jewelry to create fine and fashion lines of jewelry, which you can purchase at Shop Graceland.
Join Hal Lansky, Bill Eubanks and Lowell Hays at Designing for the King, during Elvis Week 2016 here in Memphis. Designing for the King will be Thursday, August 11. Get your tickets today!