Above: Bengal Tiger fabric by Catherine Martin on the set of Elvis in a reconstruction of the International Hotel, the king’s favorite hotel.
ICYMI, by Baz Luhrmann Elvis gets its wide release in the United States today, and with it comes a renewed interest in Presley’s life and style, from dazzling jumpsuits to plush-carpeted lounges. Those looking to bring a piece of that vibe home are in luck, so as the film’s Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin has just teamed up with Mokum for a new textile collection inspired by the glitter film.
Martin’s line, dubbed the Royal Menagerie, includes fabrics and wallpapers inspired by the late rocker and 70s decadence. Many offerings have a more maximalist feel, starting with Royal Peacock, a wallpaper depicting birds. royal blues surrounded by tropical plants. The avian creature was a recurring motif in Presley’s world, perhaps most notably at his Graceland residence, where large stained-glass peacocks separated the living room from the music room.
“There were a lot of stories about why the peacock was a recurring theme,” Martin, who is also Luhrmann’s creative and life partner, told ELLE DECOR. “The archivist of Graceland said it was a symbol of eternal life in some religions. [Elvis] was a very spiritual person, so it’s very likely.
Other designs cite Graceland’s famous Jungle Room as inspiration – a space that looks like a time capsule, from (yes) the carpeted ceiling to the interior waterfall. The aptly named Jungle Room pattern features layers of tropical flowers and leaves on fabric. The king of rock and roll’s ceramic chimpanzee statues, meanwhile, were a point of reference for Monkey Business, a textile depicting a group of monkeys climbing a leafy tree.
Big cats are another common theme in the Royal Menagerie collection, including a jacquard velvet tiger print, a tribute to Presley’s famous character. tiger jumpsuit—a colorful jacquard leopard print and illustrative Kat King velvet, a tribute to one of the rocker’s early nicknames. More low-key options include the Grande Boucle and Monarque. The latter, a velvet, is inspired by the interior of Presley’s tour bus.
The origins of Graceland’s paneled fever dream can be traced back to Presley’s father, according to Martin. “The story is that his dad saw this tiki piece of furniture in a local store window in Memphis,” Martin says. “He came home and said, ‘Oh my God, I just saw the ugliest furniture I’ve ever seen in my life. So Elvis went and bought everything as a joke.
So it’s fitting that the collection focuses on storytelling, whether it’s the legendary tales behind each design or the new life they’ll take on in living rooms and homes across the country. And, most importantly, the ’70s aesthetic adds a bit of fun. “It’s a bit ironic,” adds Martin. “There’s a sense of humor, a sense of fun and exuberance. He doesn’t take himself too seriously.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and uploaded to this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content on piano.io
