We travelled to Bendigo with our 11 year old Kidsetter ultimately for one purpose. To visit the famous Bendigo Art Gallery showcasing Elvis Presley’s memorabilia. What a great way to teach our Kidsetter about a music legend. Bendigo Art Gallery attracts significant exhibitions from across the globe and this was no exception.
Created in partnership with Graceland, this exclusive exhibition explored the extraordinary life and style of Elvis Presley.
One of the most iconic public figures of the 20th century, Elvis’s influence on music, design, art, and pop culture was profound. He is arguably the single greatest influence on the history of modern men’s fashion, constantly referenced and re-mixed by designers and celebrities today.
From his humble childhood on the poverty line in small-town Mississippi, Elvis grew up immersed in the rich and diverse music cultures of the deep South. Only two years after cutting his first single at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis, Elvis had signed a major record deal and virtually overnight shot to super-stardom the likes of which had never been seen before. In those early heady years, he purchased Graceland and created the private haven he would never sell, despite his ever-increasing fame over the following two decades.
In a time before celebrities had teams of personal stylists, Elvis carefully crafted his own look, borrowing from eclectic sources to perfect a ground-breaking new style. Decked out in threads from the ultra-hip Lansky Brothers store on Beale Street in Downtown Memphis, with slick coiffed hair and black mascara, Elvis’s appearance was as sensational as his music.
His audacious style evolved over the decades: from the soft trousers and argyle socks of his youth, to the leather rocker of 1968, to the flamboyant bling of the 1970s. Elvis maintained long-term partnerships with not only the Lanskys, but designers such as Bill Belew – creator of the karate-inspired stage suits that rapidly evolved into the bejewelled jumpsuits of Las Vegas.
Direct from the Graceland archive, the exhibition featured a wide range of costumes and ultra-cool outfits, vintage memorabilia, and treasured items from his beloved Graceland home. Fashion highlights include Elvis and Priscilla’s wedding outfits, the repurposed ’68 Special costume he wore to meet President Nixon, the diamond-encrusted Maltese cross necklace designed by Linda Thompson, and a dazzling array of Vegas jumpsuits. Personal treasures include his gold telephone, karate gi, his first-grade crayon box from Tupelo, and the bongos Priscilla gifted him on their first Christmas together in Graceland.
After visiting the Elvis exhibition we had worked up an appetite. Unfortunately, we hadn’t booked a café in advance and everything on View street was fully occupied. We ventured down to High Street and stumbled upon the Goldfields Cycle Sports & Cafe Velo At The City Family Hotel. The City Family Hotel building has been an Iconic part of Bendigo’s landscape since 1872 and was designed by well known architect, William Vahland. Café Velo was opened in 2018 within the City Family Hotel building, in conjunction with the opening of the Goldfields Cycle Sports Club. As a result there is bike enthusiast paraphernalia hanging on the walls. The service was warm and welcoming.
After a lovely lunch we walked to Bluebird Patisserie by Essence on Mitchell Street. Sitting on aqua wire tables alfresco style we enjoyed a decadent handcrafted sweet treat and coffee. Yum!
Bendigo is a vibrant arts hub and world-class food and wine scene, set against rich gold-rush history, grand architecture and magnificent gardens.
We wandered around the streets of Bendigo soaking up the ambience and architecture.
Enjoying the stunning Rosalind Park which were decorated with colourful, vibrant lanterns drawing our Kidsetter in to explore his surroundings.
Bendigo is a wonderful place to visit with Kidsetters of all ages.
