AN exciting new exhibition celebrating the Mexican man who clothed some of the most iconic music stars of all time – from The Beatles to Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan to Jack White and The Killers – is coming to Liverpool this autumn.
Musical Threads – From Mariachi to Mersey Beat and Back, brings together for the first time outside the US a stunning collection of works by multi-award winning, Mexican fashion designer, Manuel Cuevas. Renowned for his rhinestone-studded designs, many of his outfits have become as legendary as the stars who wore them.
Presented as part of ¡VAMOS! Liverpool – a programme of events which launched in 2015 celebrating all things Mexican – Musical Threads has been created and produced by Monkey Mind Productions, with support from Arts Council England, and debuts at St George’s Hall from September 10-October 16.
A star-studded concert celebrating Manuel’s stamp on the international music scene and showcasing his creations in action will take place at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall the week before on September 3, with support from Visit Tennessee, while Manuel himself will travel to Liverpool for a special “audience with” evening on September 10, hosted by designer, Wayne Hemingway MBE (more details for both to be announced over the coming months).
Manuel Cuevas, who now resides in Nashville, Tennessee, said: “I am very excited that an exhibition created in my name is coming to Liverpool this year. There is a mutual love of music, popular culture and fashion between my home city of Nashville and Liverpool. Music is ingrained within the fabric of these two great music cities.
“I last visited Liverpool in 2015 as part of the inaugural ¡VAMOS! Liverpool programme and was overwhelmed by the warmth of the people and the welcome I received. I even had time to hang out with Sir Peter Blake and Mike McCartney, which was amazing. I really can’t think of a more appropriate place to showcase my designs. See you all in September.”
Emma Foxall, director, Monkey Mind Productions, said: “Manuel is a true visionary, and the list of the people he has dressed is mind-boggling – Elvis, The Beatles, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, the list is endless. The man created the look of American glam rock ‘n’ roll. It’s real statement clothing, non-conformist and utterly memorable. Liverpool will love it.”
Emma continued: “Musical Threads will be a once in a lifetime historic celebration of Manuel’s work, and its place in music history. It will trace Manuel’s Mexican heritage and how that influenced his unique style.
“This exciting, vibrant exhibition will tell the fascinating story of a young Mexican boy who started out making prom dresses for local girls in Michoacán, to making the likes of Elvis, Bob Dylan and many other superstars look a million dollars, in some cases, quite literally!
“From pop culture vultures and music lovers, to fashionistas and textile enthusiasts, Musical Threads will have huge appeal to many, and is an exciting new addition to Liverpool’s annual event programme, as a UNESCO World Heritage city of music.”
Nikolas Barrera, director of ¡VAMOS!, said: “¡VAMOS! are really excited to work with Monkey Mind Productions and the legendary designer Manuel Cuevas to present such a highlight for the Liverpool programme.”
Along with pieces from his long list of iconic clients, and from The Country Music Hall of Fame, the exhibition with showcase a selection of jackets Manuel was commissioned to make for each US state, which Nashville’s Frist Center for the Visual Arts exhibited in 2005.
Details on how to get tickets for the Musical Threads – From Mariachi to Mersey Beat and Back exhibition, will be announced in the coming months.
Tickets for the concert at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall are now on general sale. Call the Box Office 0151 709 3789.
Visit http://monkeymindproductions.net/musical-threads for more details.
