Nudie the Rodeo Tailor: The Life and Times of the Original Rhinestone Cowboy [Hardcover]

Mary Lynn Cabrall (Author), Jamie Lee Nudie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 14, 2004

Born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1902, Nudie Cohn built an impeccable reputation as one of the most sought after clothiers in Los Angeles... all on a few sparkly G-strings. Nudie the Rodeo Tailor tells the unbelievable story of Nudie and Bobbie Cohn and the legendary fashion legacy they created. < BR> Nudie Cohn's first store (Nudie's for the Ladies, New York City) featured those famous and lavishly ornamented G-strings and stage costumes, and allowed him to build a reputation as a master tailor with a taste for the flashy. After a few years, Nudie turned his attention to making western clothing, and became the first person to incorporate rhinestones into cowboy dress. It was the $10,000 gold suit that Nudie made for Elvis Presley that rocketed Nudie to stardom and cemented his status in fashion history; Nudie would go on to design clothing for Dale Evans and Roy Rogers, Elton John, Gene Autry, John Wayne, John Lennon, Steve McQueen, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, and the rock groups America and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Nudie blurred the boundaries of fashion and cast a far-reaching influence over the clothing worn in country music, rock music, movies, and television. < BR> Nudie the Rodeo Tailor chronicles the life of the man who epitomizes the American Dream itself, with an amazing selection of photographs of suits, clothing, accessories, and of Nudie himself with the hundreds of clients and friends he made through the years. Nudie the Rodeo Tailor is the most comprehensive and handsome book on Nudie Cohn and his clothing ever created-a long overdue testament to his spirit and talent. < BR> Jamie Lee Nudie was born to Barbara Cohn and Sun Studio-sensation Jimmy Wilson in North Hollywood, California. The granddaughter of Nudie and Bobbie grew up in Nudie's Rodeo Tailors, greeting the stars and clientele with the same friendly persona. Jamie is a mother of three children living in the San Fernando Valley, caring for her grandmother Bobbie Nudie and working on many projects pertaining to the Nudie legacy.< BR> Mary Lynn Cabrall was born in Castro Valley, California, and has always dreamed of becoming a cowgirl. She learned leather tooling, and her interest in vintage clothing led her to start mimicking Nudie suits. Mary Lynn later acquired a sixty-year-old chain-stitch embroidery machine, and she took up the art of machine embroidery. Today Mary Lynn and Jamie Lee work to re-create the Nudie magic. Leatherwork, silverwork, embroidery, rhinestones, and the best rodeo tailoring money can buy can be still be ordered from Nudie's Rodeo Tailors.< BR>

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One of the most beloved figures in country music (non-music division), Nudie Cohn was born a million metaphoric miles from the birthplace of the hillbilly sound. His remarkable journey--from tailor's apprentice in his birthplace of Kiev, Russia, to America's undisputed king of Western wear--is lovingly documented in Nudie: The Rodeo Tailor by authors Jamie Lee Nudie (his granddaughter) and Mary Lynn Cabrall. More pictorial celebration than detailed biography, the book wisely lets the photos of his famous friends and his splendid suits tell the story; the accompanying text is light and breezy, providing a mere overview of Cohn's life and travels. An incredible range of actors and musicians appear, usually donning Nudie's one-of-a-kind creations. Supposedly the first tailor to add rhinestones to a Western suit, Nudie was as flamboyant as his gloriously embroidered, superbly studded garments. Like many immigrants to the States, this Russian-born Jew was clearly fascinated by the more mythic aspects of Americana--Hollywood, cowboys, and western music--and eventually became a unique part of Americana himself. --Marc Greilsamer

From the Inside Flap

Introduction 1. Early Days 2. Nudie's for the Ladies 3. The Stores 4. The Clientele 5. The Cars 6. Nudie and Bobbie 7. Hollywood Cowboys 8. Movies and TV 9. Everything for the Horse and Rider 10. Parties 11. Men Without Shirts, Big Hair, Cool Cats 12. Nudie and His Mandolin 13. Family 14. Nudie Now About the Authors

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith (June 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586853813
• ISBN-13: 978-1586853815
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best on The Best, January 18, 2008

By 

C. S. Jennings "children's illustrator & author" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nudie the Rodeo Tailor: The Life and Times of the Original Rhinestone Cowboy (Hardcover)

Leave this on your coffee table and it will be picked up. Nudie's name gets their attention, but then his work keeps them looking. Some may label his work as kitsch. I contend Nudie was a great American artist.

This book is worthy of the man. Nicely laid out. Die-cut on the front. A great gift or addition to your library.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very cool book, March 30, 2010

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S. R. eynolds - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Nudie the Rodeo Tailor: The Life and Times of the Original Rhinestone Cowboy (Hardcover)

This is a great conversation piece, it has some really great info and classic photos in it. Got to love Nudie Suits!