Profile: Manuel Cuevas--Nashville, Tennessee's Rhinestone Rembrandt

Nashville, Tennessee is known to most people as "Music City USA," a town famous for its country music, gospel music, and even a little rock 'n roll. However, one of Music City's many interesting personalities is the man who has dressed many of the music legends from Nashville and Hollywood, Manuel.

Manuel in Hollywood

Born Manuel Arturo José Cuevas Martínez in Coalcoman, Michoacan, Mexico, a small town in the middle of nowhere, Manuel was taught to sew by his older brother Adolfo when he was a small boy of seven. He developed his own fashion flair for color and cloth and moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s. There he worked for several designers, including Hollywood's Sy Devore and later for Nudie Cohn's famous western store, designing clothes for legends like Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin. After fourteen years designing western wear, Manuel opened his own shop in Hollywood. He was responsible for making Johnny Cash the man in black, and he crafted Elvis Presley's signature gold lamé suit.

Manuel--Designer to Presidents

Presidents who have worn clothing crafted by Manuel include Ronald Regan, George H. Bush, George W. Bush and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Manuel--Nashville's Rhinestone Rembrandt

In 1989, Manuel moved to Nashville to be closer to his many clients in the music industry. In Nashville the "Rhinestone Rembrandt" opened Manuel Exclusive Clothier where he has created costumes for many "Rhinestone Cowboys." A partial list of Manuel's music clients would include: Dwight Yoakam, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Neil Young, Lorrie Morgan, BIG n RICH, Trisha Yearwood, Roy Clark, Tanya Tucker, Roy Orbison, Marty Stuart, Kenny Rogers, Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Kenny Chesney, Mongomery Gentry, Dolly Parton, all three Hank Williams and many others.

Manuel & Movie Stars

Others wear Manuel's work: athletes, dancers, and artists. Movie stars have donned his designs: Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta, Billy Bob Thorton, Marlon Brando, Burt Reynolds, Robert Redford, James Dean, Vanna White, John Wayne, Requel Welch, Cory Feldman and Clayton Moore. Manual has designed wardrobes for eighty-nine movies and thirteen television shows and recently did costuming for "Hannah Montana: The Movie."

Manuel's Parties

Known for his parties, Manuel has had everyone from country music stars to doll collectors attend galas and receptions at his Nashville studio and store. His annual birthday party, celebrated every April 24th, attracts nearly 1,500 of the "who's who" in the entertainment industry from around the country.

Manuel's Book

Manuel is currently working on a collaboration with award-winning British photographer Cambridge Jones on a photography book featuring Manuel and his clients wearing clothes designed by Manuel. The book's estimated release date is late 2010.

Sources:

Examiner.com

www.manuelcouture.com

myspace.com/manuelcouture

http://manuelcouture.blogspot.com

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