Bill Belew

William Lewis Belew (May 20, 1931 – January 7, 2008) was an American costume designer who created stage outfits worn, among others, by Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, The Band, Gladys Knight, Gloria Estefan, Josephine Baker, Brooke Shields, Joan Rivers, Dionne Warwick, the Osmonds, and the Jacksons.

In an interview Belew explained why most of the jumpsuits were white: During the 1970s Belew designed Presley's offstage wardrobe, as well.

Among the most famous of Belew's Elvis jumpsuits is the American Eagle (created for the 1973 Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite). In 2008, the Peacock suit was sold at an online auction for $300,000. This made it then the most expensive piece of Elvis clothing sold at auction. Another of his creations, the so called “Aqua Blue Vine” broke that record selling for US$325,000 at a 2016 Graceland organized auction.

The elaborate embroidery, which was getting a more prominent role on the jumpsuits in 1974–1977, was the work of Gene Doucette.

Belew died at the age of 76 from diabetes-related complications in Palm Springs, California.