M-I-crooked letter, crooked letter-I...

Well despite it being nearly 100 degrees at sundown and air so thick you could nearly encapsulate it your hands, we made it back from Meridian, Mississippi in one piece (we think). Manuel was invited by the Jimmie Rodgers foundation to present a lecture following the opening exhibit of Marty Stuart's "Sparkle and Twang". Manuel and crew has traveled to nearly every opening for this incredible collection. It was formerly on display at Nashville's very own Tennessee State Museum, the Gene Autry museum in L.A., and also Cleveland's notorious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We arrived in town Thursday and met up with our dear friends Kay and Philip who met us from New Orleans. We were thrilled to be in downtown Meridian for the presentation of Marty's "star" and also the private opening. Who knew that Meridian was home to such stars? Mississippi's own Sela Ward was present and had received her star earlier on that week. She was extremely gracious and friendly--stunning in person! The reception was lovely and we had no problem making ourselves at home at the food stand and bar. Later on, we discovered Chris Ethridge (original bassist of the Flying Burrito Brothers) was playing a set at the Echo Lounge. It was very cool to see him play, an extremely talented musician and rock n' roll royalty. Not to mention, an excellent host! The next day, we traveled to the neighboring town of Philadelphia -- home town of Marty and Jennifer Stuart. We couldn't miss up the opportunity of Choctaw crafts and seeing where are dear friends hail... Our crew made a day of it which included snow cones, antique stores, and maybe a few slot machines! (Clearly none of us won big or we'd still be on vacation!) Also, we checked out the Jimmie Rodgers museum which is a MUST SEE! They have a very cool, quirky exhibit. We all enjoyed it! That evening I must admit that we all enjoyed the confines of our hotel rooms and such luxuries as cable television (Manuel, Lalie, and Lauren Wray do not have network television.) Manuel had several interviews over the weekend... from radio to PBS to a young Yale student.

That Saturday, we made it over downtown to the enchanting Riley Center. This place is wonderful and the lecture went off without a hitch thanks to an engaging audience and the moderator and organizer, Betty Lou Jones. Thanks to all who came and was a part of this event. If you're in Meridian late July, be sure to see our buddies Merle Haggard and Marty who are playing there on the 25th.

! BIRDS OF A FEATHER, SIT TOGETHER!

Friends of Manuel, Inc. / Sponsorship Opportunities

Manuel has established a non-profit organization, Friends of Manuel Inc., in order to fulfill his dream - a design institute in Nashville, Tennesee. In Manuel's words exactly:

"As you may know, with the help of many friends and family, I have started a non-profit organization, Friends of Manuel. The purpose of this group is to raise funds for my dream, a fashion institute that will be located here in Nashville. The Friends of Manuel will financially support the school for the enrichment of the arts in the design and textiles industry. College seniors from across the world will be able to apply for these intensive internships where they will learn techniques that will be taught exclusively. I count on these students to preserve and carry on my legacy."


Manuel's annual birthday party, which attracts nearly 1,500 of the "who's who" in the entertainment industry from across the country, will be an all-day and into the night event. This year, the main stage will feature Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, John Carter Cash, Micki Free, and many more. The proceeds from $50 admission fee benefit Friends of Manuel, Inc. Food, spirts, and entertainment will be available all day and into the night.

Sponsorship Opportunities:
1) $5000 Sponsorship includes (there is 1 available): - TAKEN
-main ad in pamphlet to be distributed at party
-included in all press (including radio, Twitter, Facebook,
e-mail blasts, press releases, etc.)
-main banner on stage
-logo on all printed material (such as cups that are distributed at party)
-private dinner at Manuel's house for 8 (date t.b.d.)
-8 tickets to party
-tent provided for company/product
-overnight accommodations for 4 at Manuel's house
night of party

(2) $2500 Sponsorship includes (there is 2 available):
-1/2 page ad in pamphlet to be distributed at party
-included in all press (including radio, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail blasts, press releases, etc.)
-6 tickets to party
-tent provided for company/product
The ticket sponsorship is $650.00. Dining sponsors will provide food and food service for 300 people. A 10x10 tent, serving table, and three chairs will be provided. Bar sponsors will provide liquor and mixed drinks, and/or wine and beer, and bar service. Each bar sponsor will be provided a 10x10 tent, a serving table, and three chairs. Dining and bar sponsors will be able to display their banner at theirs service locations and will be included on handbills, flyers, and posters. Please e-mail manuelsmountain@gmail.com for further details.

Manuel's Birthday Party, Sat. April 24th

Friends of Manuel, Inc. is Manuel's non-for-profit organization established to fulfill his dream, a design institute in Nashville. This year the annual birthday party will not only be a celebration of friends and family, but a benefit for F.O.M. At Manuel's home in College Grove, Tennessee. On Saturday, April 24th, Marty Stuart & his Fabulous Superlatives will headline this great outdoor event, along with many more (official line-up to be released soon)! Our tickets are $50 and there will be food, drinks, and entertainment late into the night. They will be available for purchase via PayPal in the next few weeks. Please stay posted on party news via Twitter and Facebook. We ask that you please do not call the shop for questions regarding the party!

There are sponsorship opportunities available! Please see latest blog or e-mail manuelsmountain@gmail.com for more details. Deadline is approaching quickly!

If you are unable to attend but would like to donate to the cause, please click the "donate" button below to contribute via PayPal.

Winnin' in '0-10!!

Hello cyber world, Lauren Wray here letting you know some of the beautiful things we've been working on for our even more beautiful clients. We are so lucky to have such an array of clientele ... from movie stars to hobo story tellers to everyone in between. Yes, everyone in between. To fill you in on what's been going on this year thus far... Nashville is getting to be quite the destination for filming movies here in the past few years. We did stuff for Hannah Montana: The Movie (specifically a western shirt that Lalie designed for Miley) and recently made custom boots in a whopping 6 days for none other than Gwyneth Paltrow to be worn in the movie (in production), Love Don't Let Me Down, which is currently being filmed in Nashville (also stars Garrett Hedlund of Troy and Friday Night Lights , Leighton Meester of Gossip Girl, and Tim McGraw - client and pop country crooner). Personal side note: I worked a few days as an extra (it was a very deep, complicated character I played) on set... no more details to be released at this moment but I will be signing autographs at K-Mart next week, thanks! Nick 13 of Tiger Army (I think he may be working on a Nashville album?) also just ordered his second Manuel suit. It is inspired by the Elvis gold lame' suit and we hear he will be using it for upcoming photo shoots so I'm sure you'll get to see pictures of it soon. The ladies of Casey James Prestwood and the Burning Angels win this month's contest of cool kids (I judged). Kate just received hers and Jeremi's is in the works. Casey and Brent have been rocking their Gram Parsons' inspired motorcycle jackets for a hot minute, so we're stoked (we hope they are too!!) for the ladies to be donning some rhinestones on their bad ass selves. Please be sure to check out their music... they are super groovy and cool and we're happy to be a fan of these clients and friends... Who can forget hunky Mr. James Intveld a long time friend/client who's been a friend of the Man's since the "L.A." days. He's another one that we love to listen to... as well as measure... ahhhh sorry James, couldn't resist. Also check out James' tunes and bio -- he's got an interesting history. Time to take a minute to shout out the legendary Mr. MERLE HAGGARD. We respect and love the legends and Manuel loves hearing from his old friends (he's made clothes for him through out his entire career). We're working on some suits for him right now. He's requested old school, Hank Williams style... meaning lots of piping and arrows.I know there's been stuff that I've left out, my dearest and sincerest apologies. I have a lot of stuff to do, i.e. sew arrows, figure out what to wear tomorrow for the taping of the Marty Stuart show, and so on so forth. It's also time to start thinking about lunch as well. So adios amigos... keep rockin' and rollin'. -LW


P.S.: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss came in the other day to say hello to Manuel. I think Mr. Plant lives here part time but it still makes me shakey when I see him... I just can't help myself. Lalie is accepting bids on my behalf to hear the story about how he found my bra in the dressing room last year. No part of story will be falsified, email to place bids: lalie@manuelcouture.com (Rules and Regulations: Bids will be accepted in increment of 10's (i.e. 10, 20, 30... so on) and barters can be discussed).

Manuel's suit for the unknown artist

I just came across a photo of one of my personal favorite Manuel designs of all time.

It is part of Marty Stuart's amazing collection that was shown at the Tennessee State Museum, a completely delightful exhibit entitled "sparkle and Twang" which has been traveling around the US for the last two years or so.

The incredible garment I am typing about is the lavender/grey toned one with an entire human skeleton embroidered and rhinestoned on the back of the jacket and legs of the pants.

Manuel did this as a dedication to all the artists and musicians that would never get the recognition they deserved for their time, talent and craft.

The very moment I laid eyes on this small piece of western wear history....I got chills.

This is the very suit that inspired Jack White (of The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather) to get his infamous bone suit tailored at our shop.

(suit featured in video to follow!)

xoxo

Lalie

Assistant Designer to MANUEL

Another Day in the Life...

I get to work today and Manuel's assistant designer, Lalie, is suffering from excruciating toof (teeth) pain, bless her heart... Manuel makes her an appointment, and poor thing has to get her wisdom teeth out! Wah!! Our publicist, Jayne Rogovin, sent me a very cool link to an article in the Washington Post about Nashville where we are mentioned, as are our dear friends at Robert's Western World. You can read the article here. Mr. Hillbilly Rocker himself, Marty Stuart, stopped by to say hello and check out some of Manuel's new designs. We all love Marty (who couldn't?!?) and it's always a pleasure to see him. Aww... look at these two heart-breakers!!

Later on that morning, John Carter Cash and his lovely wife Laura, came in. Manuel is always super excited to see his friends, as are we!! Days like today are truly what make the things we do worthwhile... new students, old friends, new friends, Showcases... oh and Bruce Springsteen? Manuel and I will be there tonight for a fitting for a certain "E-Street Band" member. I am signing off for now... all of this before lunchtime! Whew!! I'll add more later when I can!!
Love you, Lauren Wray