Nudie Cohn - Haberdasher to the Stars.

Today is country star Porter Wagoner's birthday.  He would have been 87.  Wagoner is known as the man who discovered Dolly Parton.  Porter and Dolly are one of the greatest country duets of all time - right up there with Tammy and George. As I watched the following clip, I was reminded of his iconic look - pompadour and a flashy suit by Nudie Cohn.

Nudie Cohn (December 15, 1902 to May 9, 1984) was born Nuta Kotlyarenko in Kiev, Ukraine. Nudie is famous for his "Nudie Suits" and "Nudie Mobiles", outrageous customized Pontiac Bonnevilles.  Customers of "Nudies of Hollywood" included Roy Rogers and Jane Evans, Hank Williams, John Lennon, John Wayne, ZZ Top, and Porter Wagoner. Wagoner had 52 suits costing between $11,000 and $18,000 apiece. "Nudie Suits" told the C&W world that you had arrived.  The pictures will tell the rest of the story.

Nudie Mobile

Elvis

Bob Dylan's "Jesus Jacket"

Gram Parsons

Elton John

Waylon Jennings

Flying Burrito Brothers

Buck Owens