The Glasgow School of Art

Nudie Cohn was the Russian born tailor whose designs transformed the clothing of American country music.   At one time a designer of highly embellished g-strings for New York strippers, Nudie moved to Hollywood in 1947 and originated the Rhinestone cowboy look that has become visual shorthand for a particular strain of country music style.  His fantastical, intricately embroidered and heavily ornamented outfits have adorned the backs of countless stars within country music as well as those from the worlds of rock n roll, film and the rodeo.  They include Elvis Presley, Roy Rogers, John Wayne, Hank Williams, Porter Wagoner, Gram Parsons, Dolly Parton and Elton John. Today his work is still sought after and admired. Contemporary musicians such as Bobby Gillespie from Primal Scream, Mike Mills from R.E.M. and Beck; fashion photographers including Craig McDean; and fashion designers from Tommy Hilfiger to Giles Deacon have been inspired by his designs.

Mairi MacKenzie, lecturer at GSA, curator of the Nudie Cohn exhibition recently held at the Mode Museum in Antwerp and author of 'Dreamsuits: The Wonderful World of Nudie Cohn,' will present a lecture on this charismatic figure. Consideration will be given to Nudie's biography, his relationship with his famous customers, the evolution of his style, as well as his legacy within contemporary culture.

The short film 'Museum of Costume' by the photographer and artist Alice Hawkins - created to accompany the exhibition and featured on SHOWStudio - will be shown.