Miuccia Prada Designs Costumes for Priscilla and Elvis
For the long-awaited film, the designer draws inspiration from garments from the vast Prada and Miu Miu archives, as well as the spirit of an era, to bring the iconic couple to life.
One of the most captivating love stories in the history of music and in real life is, without a doubt, that of Priscilla and Elvis Presley. And in the long-awaited film 'Elvis', directed by Baz Luhrmann, this chemistry is seen come to life.
Prada and Miu Miu announced the collaboration of Miuccia Prada in Elvis's wardrobe. This is not the first time the creative has worked side-by-side with the visionary and award-winning filmmaker and Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin. To create various looks for the 'Elvis' characters, he drew on garments from the Prada and Miu Miu archives. The fusion of talents from this unique triad had already resulted in the creation of exclusive items for 'The Great Gatsby' (2013) and even earlier, dressed as Leonardo DiCaprio in the film 'Romeo + Juliet' (1996).
The film stars Austin Butler as Elvis, Oscar winner Tom Hanks as his enigmatic manager Colonel Tom Parker, and Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla, and traces the life and music of Elvis Presley, celebrating his unique style and that of an entire era.
"The centre of the Elvis narrative is the legendary love story of Elvis and Priscilla. Priscilla Presley's iconic beauty and style have left an indelible mark on contemporary culture. Consequently, it was important to Baz and me that we stay true to this legacy, not only imitating Mrs Presley's actual clothing, but finding a modern way to connect audiences with her distinctive and historic style. It was wonderful for both Baz and me to creatively collaborate with Miuccia once again. By immersing ourselves in the Prada and Miu Miu archives with highly trained workshops, we brought the Presleys' historic clothing into the wardrobe that would be in the film," said Catherine Martin.
From the study of Elvis and Priscilla's clothing records, Prada and Miu Miu found affinities and similarities in their immense archives, giving shape to new creations. The result is strongly reminiscent of the years depicted in the film, but is also an expression of the DNA of the two brands and their histories.
Miu Miu has frequently explored and reinterpreted the Zeitgeist of several decades of the 20th century, according to its own codes. This is the reason why several of his most famous collections easily inspire an evocative attempt around the style of Priscilla Presley, which was also the result of a personal approach to the fashion of his time. The garments were created from such inspiring pieces as the beaded and fringed brocade trouser suit Priscilla wore to the first Las Vegas concert.
Prada has also often drawn on those years and that cultural landscape, animated by a revolutionary spirit and a desire for freedom, to offer an original aesthetic interpretation. Through that same notion, several of Priscilla's authentic outfits were reimagined for the film, like the tweed dress she wore over a mohair sweater with a brown suede jacket for the NBC special.
Paired with Prada's custom look for Elvis, a distinctive plum-coloured suit, these outfits exude the essence of the film's characters. with recognizable shapes and silhouettes that are instantly reminiscent of the past and appear contemporary, underlining their eternal timelessness.
