LANSKY BROS. “CLOTHIER TO THE KING”
by eddie on Aug.07, 2009, under E
“Clothier To The King” is how Bernard Lansky has billed himself for many years.
These days his clothing store is in the lobby of the legendary Peabody Hotel at 149 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN. He opened his original shop on Beale Street in 1946 with his brother Guy. That’s where Elvis got all those cool threads we associate with his look in the fifties.
Lansky came from a family of nine children, the off-spring of immigrants from Kiev. Wanting his sons to be their own boss, his father purchased a clothing store for Bernard and his six brothers. But, the younger Lansky felt the need to strike out on his own and wound up in high fashion for the black entertainers in Memphis. He was on Beale Street with all those blues clubs and theaters. Bernard started to dress his windows in a style that would attract the singers and band members. Word of mouth soon had Lansky Bros. doing a land office business.
In the early days, it was rare to see a white guy on Beale. So, when Bernard noticed a young Elvis peering in the store window, he was moved to invite him in to look around. Elvis thought the styles were “fantastic.” Presley was working as an usher at the Lowes Theater and confessed he had no money…”but, when I get rich, I’ll buy you out” he declared. His first purchase was a shirt for $3.95. Thereafter, Elvis would show up on pay-day to buy additional shirts. When things started happening for him, Presley showed up at Lansky’s to purchase clothes for his ’56 Ed Sullivan appearance. Again, Elvis was without funds. Bernard ran a tab that the young Presley paid off with installments. By this time, it was clear to Lansky that “the kid was going places.” Once the “King’s” career hit it’s stride, it was not uncommon for Bernard to make trips to Graceland to drop off merchandise or to bring fabric samples for new fashions. Lansky always found the Presley family to be warm and outgoing.
Today you can still find the dapper Mr. Lansky and his son Hal behind the counter of his haberdashery in the elegant lobby of the Peabody. Amid the extravagant fashions on display you will also find autographed guitars and memorabilia from stars of country, rock, blues and jazz. In August of 2001 Lansky Bros. retained Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc (EPE) as its licensing agent to represent trademarks, property, name and their new clothing line inspired by Elvis and the styles he loved.
On a personal note; several years ago I was in the Nashville/Memphis area on business. I never go to Memphis without visiting “Mr. Lansky”. Can’t help myself….I always buy something! Bernard and his son Hal are well aware that I’m an Elvis Tribute Artist. On this particular occasion I was relaxing, with a glass of wine, in the beautiful Peabody lobby…just outside the shop. It was closing time and Hal was locking up. He noticed me and asked if there was anything he could do for me. I told him the next day would be soon enough and didn’t want to keep him. Hal replied, “we opened up after hours for Elvis…we’ll open for YOU!” The Lanskys are keenly aware that they’re selling much more than clothes at Lansky Bros. Bernard Lansky, the man who shaped the fashions of the fifties as much as Elvis did with his music, still sees folks peering in his window and invites them to “come in and look around.” I’m honored to call him a friend.