Nudie Cohn: The rhinestone cowboy tailor who dressed Elvis

    By Sheena McKenzie, for CNN

    Updated 1208 GMT (2008 HKT) February 4, 2016

    Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

    The tailor's flamboyant style had a lasting impact on American country and western clothing. Decades after his death, granddaughter Jamie Nudie has reopened Nudie's Rodeo Tailors in California. <br />
    Photos: Nudie's flamboyant designs
    Nudie Cohn – The tailor's flamboyant style had a lasting impact on American country and western clothing. Decades after his death, granddaughter Jamie Nudie has reopened Nudie's Rodeo Tailors in California.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 10
    Cohn's awesome suits were worn by western performers and rodeo stars. His famous clients included Robert Redford in 1979 film "The Electric Horseman."
    Photos: Nudie's flamboyant designs
    Robert Redford – Cohn's awesome suits were worn by western performers and rodeo stars. His famous clients included Robert Redford in 1979 film "The Electric Horseman."
    Hide Caption
    2 of 10
    Redford's outfit included these rhinestone-studded boots.
    Photos: Nudie's flamboyant designs
    Boots made for walking? – Redford's outfit included these rhinestone-studded boots.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 10
    Cohn's most famous creation was the $10,000 gold lamé suit worn by Elvis Presley on the cover of his album "50,000 Elvis Fans Can't be Wrong."
    Photos: Nudie's flamboyant designs
    That suit – Cohn's most famous creation was the $10,000 gold lamé suit worn by Elvis Presley on the cover of his album "50,000 Elvis Fans Can't be Wrong."
    Hide Caption
    4 of 10
    This wonderfully embroidered suit was made for 1960s and '70s country music star Gram Parsons. <br />
    Photos: Nudie's flamboyant designs
    Gram Parsons – This wonderfully embroidered suit was made for 1960s and '70s country music star Gram Parsons.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 10
    Each of Cohn's suits was like a fashion fairytale.
    Photos: Nudie's flamboyant designs
    Suits you – Each of Cohn's suits was like a fashion fairytale.
    Hide Caption
    6 of 10
    This original Nudie suit featured a picture of Jesus on the trouser leg.
    Photos: Nudie's flamboyant designs
    Holy moly – This original Nudie suit featured a picture of Jesus on the trouser leg.
    Hide Caption
    7 of 10
    This vibrant number was worn by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones.
    Photos: Nudie's flamboyant designs
    Like a Rolling Stone – This vibrant number was worn by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones.
    Hide Caption
    8 of 10
    His wife was no wilting violet herself, pictured in this rich embroidered outfit.
    Photos: Nudie's flamboyant designs
    Bobbie Cohn – His wife was no wilting violet herself, pictured in this rich embroidered outfit.
    Hide Caption
    9 of 10
    The naked cowgirl label was based on Bobbie. "My grandmother came out of the bedroom one evening and she had on her hat and her boots and she said: 'Nudie, when do I get the rest of my outfit?'" according to Jamie Nudie. "So in the 1963 logo she got her Bolero. Anything pre-Bolero means the naked cowgirl label is from 1947 to 1963."
    Photos: Nudie's flamboyant designs
    Label of love – The naked cowgirl label was based on Bobbie. "My grandmother came out of the bedroom one evening and she had on her hat and her boots and she said: 'Nudie, when do I get the rest of my outfit?'" according to Jamie Nudie. "So in the 1963 logo she got her Bolero. Anything pre-Bolero means the naked cowgirl label is from 1947 to 1963."
    Hide Caption
    10 of 10
    Nudie Cohen electric horseman robert redford nudie boots.nudie cohn elvis presleyGram Parson Nudie Cohn suit.nudie suits split screen nudie suit jesusnudei suits porter wagoner Bobbie Nudienudie rodeo tailors

    Story highlights

    • Rhinestone suits reinvented western wear
    • Outfits worn by singers, actors, riders
    • Granddaughter reopens store in California

    (CNN)It was 1940s America, and the enduring image of a rugged horseman swaggering across the western plains was about to get a sparkling makeover.

    "'Real men wear rhinestone' -- that's what he always used to say," Jamie Nudie, the granddaughter of tailor to the stars Nudie Cohn, remembers.