Description
Nudie Cohn, born Nuta Kotlyrenko in Kiev (1902 December 15 - 1984 May 9), was a Russian immigrant who moved to America in
1913. Born into a family of boot makers and tailors, he made a name for himself in Western style tailoring. Nudie's custom
clothing was distinguished by its sharp fit and eye-catching embellishments. His work became famous in the Western music scene
in the 1950s, and his client base grew over four decades to include movie studios, movie stars, rock and roll musicians, and
equestrian parade participants. Nudie is famous for outfitting Roy Rogers in rhinestone-studded fringe, creating the gold
lamé suit Elvis wore in 1957, and the light-up suit donned by Robert Redford in
The Electric Horseman. The Nudie's Rodeo Tailors Archives collection spans 1950-1994 and includes customer clothing files, correspondence, boot
patterns, financial records, photographs, and publications.
Background
Nudie Cohn (1902 December 15 - 1984 May 9) was a poor Russian immigrant who became one of the most famous and successful American
Western wear designers of the twentieth century. Born Nuta Kotlyrenko to a Jewish boot maker and his wife in Kiev, Nuta was
a tailor's apprentice by age eight. At age eleven he was sent to America with his older brother to take up residence with
relatives in Brooklyn, New York. At Ellis Island, his first name was misunderstood by immigration officers as "Nudie," and
the two brothers gave Cohn as their surname, to match their relatives in Brooklyn; thus Nudie Cohn was born.
Extent
28 Linear Feet
(64 boxes)
Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is
given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
Availability
Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives
and fill out the Researcher Application Form.