“Ultimate Influencer”: The Liberace Jewelry Collection Exhibit in Las Vegas – An Interview With Jonathan Warren

Interview With Liberace Foundation’s Chairman on Exhibition of « Ultimate Influencer: Appreciating the Impact of Liberace on Pop Culture »

The Legendary Liberace.
Photo Courtesy: Liberace Foundation

French Quarter Magazine met with Jonathan Warren, Liberace Foundation’s chairman, to talk about the new exhibition: « Ultimate Influencer » and the enduring appeal and legacy of Liberace. His work remains relevant today with his work living on in the lyrics and music of hundreds of pop and hip hop songs today.

To view the interview, click on the video link at the end of the article.

On December 11th, Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts opened the doors of its museum in Las Vegas to its limited time exhibition, « Ultimate Influencer. » The jewels exhibition, which is being held in Liberace Garage, showcases exclusive gems and pieces that span, for some, more than six decades of creations.

Running from December 11 for several months, the displayed pieces, all received as gifts except one. They have been donated by the very famous like Barron Hilton who gave the piano ring and Bill Harrah, the candelabra ring, plus jewelery from Australia and South Africa and a piece designed by Liberace himself.

When you enter the Liberace exhibit, the first things that really pop are the original stage cars of Liberace, then his two legendary custom Rolls Royces and later on by the end of the exhibition, his famous Baldwin piano, covered with rhinestones and his Swarovski Roadster. Pianos, costumes, and more of Liberace’s artifacts are on display as well.

A legend in his own time, Liberace once said: « I don’t dress this way to go unnoticed. » You can see some of his flamboyant and extravagant costumes there too.

The legendary jewels of Liberace, were once exhibited in 2017 at the Paris Museum of Modern Art, and in 2019 were showcased in an exhibition at Monte Carlo Fashion Week. Now, you can view them in Las Vegas at Liberace Garage, on Fridays and Saturdays, for a limited time only. The museum exhibits every day, private parties of 1 to 6 only, respecting social distancing, and mask coverings and Covid sanitary precautions.

Liberace Garage (inside the Hollywood Cars Museum)
5115 Dean Martin Dr, Suite 905, Las Vegas, NV 89118

Sunday-Thursday (without Liberace Jewels)
Friday-Saturday (with Liberace Jewels)

By appointment only.

For more information and for ticket reservations, go to: www.liberacemuseum.com

Header Photo Courtesy: Liberace Foundation.

About the Author

Isabelle Karamooz, Founder of FQM is originally from Versailles, France. She always wanted to see the world, which she did starting at 17 when she had the fortunate opportunity to study abroad in Rhonda, Spain. She traveled the world from Hong Kong to Taiwan, from Ireland to Austria, to Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Monaco, and discovered the entire countries of Italy and Morocco. She really feels like a citizen of the world. She finally settled several years in Los Angeles where she worked at the French Consulate of Los Angeles. Passionate about the Arts and History, she earned a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of California Berkeley and have studied for a Master program in teaching at the University of Southern California, then she went on to teach French to aspiring UNLV and CSN students in Nevada. She is the founder and Editor in chief of French Quarter Magazine, in which she writes, interviews people in a wide range of circumstances, pitches story ideas to writers and journalists, takes photos, and is currently writing her first work in English, which spans the life of Coco Chanel and is filled with adventure, intrigue, history and love.