Lansky Brothers

Lansky Brothers was founded in 1946 by Bernard and Guy Lansky with a $125 investment from their father, S. L. Lansky. The store began at 126 Beale Street as an army surplus store, then gradually changed to serve customers seeking a one-of-a-kind look. At the time, Beale Street was the center of the African-American social and music scene in Memphis. Bernard traveled the country looking for unique products, often years ahead of anything else in town, with bright colors and silky fabrics. Lansky Brothers quickly became a fashion headquarters for musicians and style-conscious customers, including B.B. King, Isaac Hayes, David Porter, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Rufus Thomas. Elvis Presley helped establish Bernard Lansky as the “Clothier to the King” and brought global recognition. Bernard recalled seeing a young Elvis looking into his windows and inviting him inside, where Elvis said that when he got rich he was going to buy him out, and Bernard replied, “Don’t buy me out. Just buy from me!” Lansky outfitted Elvis for his performances on the Ed Sullivan Show, Dorsey Brothers Show, and the Louisiana Hayride. Bernard dressed Elvis in the Pink/Black combination that defined the cool colors of the '50s era. The Lansky family legacy now spans three generations and still operates clothing stores in the lobby of the historic Peabody Hotel.

Memphis, Tennessee · United States