Highlights

• Michael Braun's intricate designs defined the appearance of legendary artists like Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan.
• Braun's collaboration with Randy Savage led to the creation of Macho Man's iconic look, including extravagant capes and custom leather jackets.
• The costumes designed by Braun not only drew attention from wrestling fans but also helped Savage's popularity soar, leading to high-profile appearances and a memorable Slim Jim ad campaign.

The 'Macho Man' Randy Savage was the total package. His in-ring work was tight and precise. His promos were unique and intoxicating, but it was Savage's look that was unforgettable. Fans would marvel at Macho Man's extravagant capes, hats, boots, and... oooooh yeah - those glasses, too! Dig it!

The costumes helped make the Macho Man the man. The man behind these intricate threads was Michael Braun, a legendary wardrobe designer with as much charisma, confidence, and bravado as Savage himself... which is saying a lot.

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Michael Braun Designed Looks For Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, And Others

Michael Braun's Work In Music Led Him To Hulk Hogan

• Michael Braun designed the wardrobe for some of rock 'n' roll's biggest acts.
• Michael Braun also worked with lesser-known bands, including Hulk Hogan's band, Ruckus.

Michael Braun made a name for himself by defining the appearance of several legendary artists. He also helped define the fashion of his generation. The damn broke when he got connected to Jimi Hendrix. The Hendrix look became iconic: the fringed jackets, Spanish shawls, vests, and psychedelic colors. The designs were as abrasive and unapologetic as Hendrix's guitar work. Braun's vital work helped launch the era's style and catalyzed his successful career.

A slew of big acts began contacting Michael, eager to get his Midas touch on their clothing. Bob Dylan, Sly and the Family Stone, The Temptation, and Jon Bon Jovi were just a few of the esteemed artists who buzzed Braun. However, the artist wouldn't shy away from working with lesser-known bands, including one called Ruckus. The bass player of Ruckus, Terry Bollea, was a body that Michael wouldn't forget. Wrestling fans will recognize the name Terry Bollea as the one, the only, the immortal bastard, Hulk Hogan.

Michael Braun Meets Randy Savage

Randy Savage Collaborated With Michael Braun To Create His Iconic Look

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• Hulk Hogan recommended Michael Braun to Randy Savage.
• Originally, Randy Savage just wanted Michael Braun to make him trunks and some capes.
• Randy Savage grew to trust Michael Braun and gave him full creative control.

The phone rang. Braun answered to hear a voice mutter, "Hey, the Hulkster told me you could make me some clothes." The owner of the raspy voice was none other than The Macho Man himself. Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth came to visit Michael Braun at his studio. Savage showed the artist what he usually wore at the time: a small pair of trunks. On the Danny Jones Podcast, Braun said:

"He's got little shorts that have three stars across the front and then maybe two-inch lettering across his tush that says 'Macho Man.' I said, 'Dude, I'm not making shorts, and I need real estate. I need it from the ground to past your head.'"

Savage decided to give Michael Braun a trial run and contracted him to design a couple of outfits. Braun whipped up some spectacular pieces, and Savage took them out on the road. Braun said it didn't take long for the prideful Randy Savage to return, head pointed toward the ground -- "You can do whatever you want," Savage said. For those who knew the Macho Man, this was as surprising a development as any, considering Savage was a notorious control freak and an obsessive penny-pincher. So, for Savage to give Braun complete creative freedom over his costume design was the biggest endorsement in Braun's career. On Savage's A&E Biography episode, Braun said:

"One day [Savage] says to me, 'I'm small.' Well, his bicep is bigger than both of my thighs. He's half a head taller than me. This is a big guy to me. Relative to that gang [other wrestlers] and their height, he's not that big. What he's trying to say to me is: the clothes help me to be believable."

Michael understood that what Randy was looking for was a larger-than-life look.

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"Macho Man" Randy Savage's Iconic Style

Michael Braun Helped Randy Savage Transform And Modernize His Style

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Michael Braun dressed The Macho Man in threads that made his charisma and physical presence louder than it already was. Their collaboration started with epic capes. The signature and custom capes photographed beautifully. Perhaps more importantly, they were just as impressive to the fans sitting in the cheap seats.

After a while, the designer suggested that Savage take a different approach to his style. It was time to modernize the look. The capes were out. Modified, custom leather jackets were in. The jackets were made with bold fringe (Braun harkened back to his Jimi Hendrix days).

The leather jackets and colorful tights needed accessories. That's where Macho Man's iconic glasses came into play. Braun put much effort into creating the glasses, crafting and painting each pair by hand. The busy spectacles left just enough space for Randy to see out of, but walking took some concentration.

The work that Michael Braun created for Randy Savage was iconic. The extravagant costumes drew tons of attention, not just from wrestling fans. Savage's popularity soared. He made television appearances, was interviewed on late-night talk shows, and had his unforgettable Slim Jim ad campaign. Braun designed the looks for each of these high-profile appearances.

Throughout his career, Michael Braun has made wearable art for some of the greatest artists and performers of our time. Like Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" or Savage's WrestleMania 3 match against Steamboat, Braun's work changed the game and will forever stand the test of time.