Country Couture: Nudie Cohen’s Theatrical Stage Wear in Country Music (working title)
Linda M. Moroziuk – Ph.D. Candidate, York University
Nudie Cohn was not the first tailor to make exaggerated, embroidered western clothing
for artists on the country music scene, but in his hands the look reached new levels of
flamboyance and showmanship. Cohn’s copious use of rhinestones and his innovation
of adding them to fringe created an eclectic dislpay of movement and sparkle.
Throughout the fifties and early sixties, ‘country couture’ became the convention for
country singers. Artists wore their ‘Nudie suits’ not only to entertain their audiences, but
also as a kind of branding, having them decorated with embroidered caricatures of their
name or of hit song titles.
Among Cohn’s most noted designs were Hank Williams’ white cowboy suit with musical
notations on the sleeves and Gram Parsons’ infamous outfit worn for the cover of the Flying
Burrito Brothers’ 1969 album The Gilded Palace of Sin, featuring pills, poppies, marijuana
leaves, naked women and a large cross.
About the presenterLinda M Moroziuk
Linda M. Moroziuk is a professor of songwriting at Seneca College in Toronto and a Ph.D. candidate in York University’s music department. She is also a professional songwriter and award winning artist, with original music licensed to film, and television shows like the WB’s “Dawson’s Creek.”