Manuel

About me:

He was responsible for making Johnny Cash the man in black.
He crafted Elvis’ signature gold lamé suit.
He fashioned the garments Bob Dylan wore when performing for the Pope.
He has dressed all three Hank Williams…
And if this is not enough to bring him a legendary status in music history, you can thank him for both The Rolling Stones and The Grateful Dead’s notorious insignias.
But it doesn’t stop here: presidents, athletes, dancers, artists, and movie stars have also donned his glittering couture. He has wardrobed eighty-nine movies and thirteen television shows, as recently seen in Jonathan Demme’s film featuring Neil Young titled, “Neil Young: Heart of Gold.”
The man is not a fashion designer; he is a costumer and an artist. His original designs have become the trademark of true American style.
HE IS MANUEL.
Often referred to as the "Rhinestone Rembrandt," Manuel's fascination with his craft began at the age of seven in Coalcoan, Michoacan, Mexico, when his older brother Adolfo taught him how to sew. With a natural flair for color and cloth, Manuel moved to Los Angeles and worked for several tailors, including Hollywood’s Sy Devore—making suits for clients such as the Rat Pack, but soon became bored with everyday clothing. He then moved on to the world of costumes at Nudie’s famed western store, designing for the likes of Roy Rogers and the Lone Ranger. After fourteen years in western wear, Manuel branched out and opened his own shop in Hollywood, eventually relocating to Nashville in 1989 to continue his association with the music industry.
“Record companies call me to help fabricate personalities for their artists, “he declares. “I do for artists what they need—not what they think they need.”
Manuel has also been recognized many times for his marvelous contribution to pop culture. He was given the Hispanic Designers MODA award in 1992 and the “Intercoiffure” American Design award in 2006. Manuel proudly received special recognition from the Country Music Association and several awards from Cody High Style.
A current project of Manuel’s is a collaboration with Cambridge Jones, award-winning British photographer (European photographer of the year awards) with a photography book featuring Manuel and his clients wearing their custom designs. Those already photographed includes Jack White, Loretta Lynn, Porter Wagoner, Phil Kaufman, Dwight Yoakam, Billy Bob Thornton, Gillian Welch, and many more artists and friends. The book’s estimated release date is in late 2009.
After a lifetime of achievements and countless ventures, Manuel has chosen to give back to the country that has brought his dream to a reality. He has designed fifty jackets, full of embroidery and rhinestones, one for each of the United States. These red, white, and blue sparkling representations of our history are now traveling around the country, showcased in a breath-taking exhibit.
Additionally, Manuel has started a non-for-profit organization, Friends of Manuel. The Friends of Manuel Foundation will financially support the Manuel Fashion Institute for the enrichment of the arts in the fashion and textiles industry. Manuel states, “Since 1986, I have had interns from the different colleges of design. Most of them are totally unfamiliar to industrial machinery and hand sewing. My vision is to teach them all I know to prepare these interns and build confidence in them for their future careers.” College seniors will be able to apply for these intensive internships where they will learn techniques that are not taught anywhere else in the world.
Manuel currently lives right outside of Nashville and still happily works in studio every day.