Manuel

Manuel receives the key to the city in his hometown of Michoacan in December of 2007
Promo for the ACMs on Great American Country
"COMMUNICATION IS THE MOTHER OF UNDERSTANDING"
"I think of my customers as my friends.
They are, each one, speacial to me,
and I make clothing for them
that is just as special"
"I can make someone a beggar... OR a prince"
"I've never labored a day in my life, I love every minute of my work, and enjoy every second of what I do."
He was responsible for making Johnny Cash the man in black.
He crafted Elvis’ signature gold lame suit.
He fashioned the garments Bob Dylan wore when he performed for the Pope.
He has dressed all three Hank Williams…
And if this is not enough to bring him a legendary status in music history,
You can thank him for both The Rolling Stones and The Grateful Dead’s infamous insignias.
But it doesn’t stop here… presidents, athletes, dancers, artists, and movie stars have also donned his glittering couture. He has wardrobed eighty-nine movies and thirteen televsision shows as recently seen in Johnathan Demme’s film featuring Neil Young titled, “Neil Young: Heart of Gold.”
The man is not a fashion designer; he is a costumer and an artist and his original designs have become the trademark of true American style.
HE IS MANUEL.
Often referred to as the “Rhinestone Rembrandt”, Manuel’s fascination with his craft began at the age of seven as a child in Coalcoan, Michoacan, Mexico. His love affair with fabric began when his older brother, Adolfo, taught him how to sew.
With a natural flair for color and cloth, Manuel moved to Los Angeles and worked for several tailors, including Hollywood’s Sy Devore—making suits for clients such as the Rat Pack, but soon became bored with everyday clothing. He then moved on to the world of costumes at Nudie’s famed western stores, designed for the likes of Roy Rogers and the Lone Ranger. After fourteen years in western wear, Manuel branched out and opened his own shop in Hollywood, eventually relocating to Nashville in 1989 to continue his association with the music industry.
“Record companies call be to help fabricate personalities for their artists,“ he declares. “I do for artists what they need—not what they think they need.”
Manuel has also been recognized many times for his marvelous contribution to pop cultures. He was given the Hispanic Designers MODA award in 1992 and the “Intercoiffure” American Design award in 2006, as well has a CMA awards and the Cody Western Heritage Award.
After a lifetime of achievements and countless ventures, Manuel has chosen to give back to the country that has brought his dream to a reality. He has designed fifty jackets, full of embroidery and rhinestones, one for each of the United States. These red, white, and blue sparkling representations of our history are now traveling around the states, showcased in a breath taking exhibit.
Additionally, Manuel has started a non-for-profit organization, Friends of Manuel. The Friends of Manuel Foundation is a non-profit organization that is going to financially support the Manuel Fashion Institute for the enrichment of the arts in the fashion and textiles industry. Manuel states, “Since 1986 I have had interns from the different colleges of design. Most of them are totally unfamiliar to industrial machinery and hand sewing. My vision is to teach them all I know to prepare these interns the build confidence in them for their future careers.”
Fashion Seniors will be able to apply for an intensive internship where they will learn techniques that are not taught anywhere else in the world.
Manuel currently lives outside of Nashville and still happily works in studio every day.