Nashville Internship

For my internship required for graduating UNCG, I worked at Manuel American Designs under living legend Manuel Cuevas. Having worked as the head tailor of Nudie Cohn during the 1950s through the 1970s before striking out to create his own brand based in Nashville, Manuel was a formative voice in the creation of what we think of as "westernwear". He's the one who made Johnny Cash "the Man in Black", made the iconic Gram Parsons suit, and has dressed everyone from Elvis Presley to Lady Gaga. I truly believe that Manuel is one of the greatest American designers living today and it was an honor to learn traditional tailoring from him.

Work I completed under Manuel was worn on stage for performances at the historic Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry.