He only wore it a handful of times but , for many , Elvis Presley strutting around the stage in his gold lame tuxedo is their enduring image of The King . And as the decadent outfit makes the 4,300-mile journey his Memphis mansion to London , British fans are finally able to get up close to one of their idol ’ s most famous artefacts . Normally on display at Graceland , the singer ’ s former home-turned-museum , it is making a special two month appearance at the Elvis at The O2 exhibition from Sunday . The golden suit is making a special two month appearance at the Elvis at The O2 exhibition from Sunday . Even during Presley ’ s lifetime , the tuxedo carried a level of mystique . His manager Colonel Tom Parker had it ferried to concert venues in an armoured truck and under armed guards as a way of drumming up more press coverage . Angie Marchese , Graceland ’ s Director of Archives , has previously said : ‘ It ’ s the ultimate piece of 50s memorabilia that is connected to Elvis ’ s life and career which is important because our collection is quite light on 50s stuff because Elvis didn ’ t keep those things . It really represents his rise to fame in the 50s. ’ Although touted as his $ 10,000 suit , this astronomical price was reportedly a gimmick and the actual value was closer to $ 2,500 , although this would still be around £20,000 by today ’ s standards . It was made for the singer by Hollywood tailor Nudie Cohn , whose other customers have included Sir Elton John , Ronald Reagan and John Wayne . Graceland director Kevin Kern inspects the suit before it is put on display . Although touted as his $ 10,000 suit , this astronomical price was reportedly a gimmick and the actual value was closer to $ 2,500 . Presley , who died in 1977 at the age of 42 , first wore the suit in public on March 28 , 1957 during a performance at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago . He wore the full ensemble – consisting of gold jacket , trousers , belt , tie and shoes – just twice more at live performances , in St. Louis on the night following its first appearance and then again in Toronto on April 2 , 1957 . It is perhaps best known for being worn on the cover of 1959 compilation album 50,000 Elvis Fans Can ’ t Be Wrong , which contained no less than 17 pictures of the singer wearing the extravagant outfit . Arriving at the O2 exhibition , it will sit alongside other artefacts such as his 16 karat ‘ Taking Care of Business ’ ring , a signed Champagne bottle from his wedding to Priscilla and the Red MG Roadster from his film Blue Hawaii .
he first followed suit in public on march 28 , 1957 , during a parade . Will be on display at The O2 from Sunday alongside other artefacts .