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Visitors are being served up a unique experience of staying in the breathtaking iconic 14,300 sq. ft. villa which has been turned into a photographic gallery of some of the world’s biggest stars.
Central characters in the Elvis Suite are Bowie and Beyonce, who are honoured with their own wings in a villa, which sleeps up to 10 people,
World-famous photographer Markus Klinko has been allowed the unique opportunity to curate a collection of shots at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
His work named “The Icons” also features shots of music, film, and fashion icons such as Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Naomi Campbell and Billie Eillish.
Klinko’s images of Bowie with a wolf and smoking are in the master bedroom, while Beyonce is celebrated from her iconic Dangerously in Love shoot 20 years ago. One image is valued at tens of thousands of pounds as it is a photo covered in diamond dust.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Express Klinko revealed: “I wanted to have a Vegas art gallery residency for many years, but the Westgate’s owner Jackie Siegel and her team came up with this concept.
“We feel it is the Sistine Chapel of pop art, celebrating our society’s fascination with celebrity.
“Our society has replaced religion with celebrity worship and this is a kind of shrine.
“There is a spiritual connection between Elvis, me and the Westgate. “As a child, I put up a poster of Elvis in his leather suit from his 1968 comeback shows at the hotel in my bedroom, which inspired me to take an interest in photography.
“With David, there is a uniqueness that goes beyond his music and mortality. He was a revolutionary shapeshifter, who remains radiant and powerful today, still changing lives and has a never-ending career.
“ There are clear similarities between Elvis, David and Beyonce.
“Elvis inspired me, David Bowie made my career and Beyonce made me really famous.
“I have shot the most famous photograph of the most famous woman in the world – and she calls our shoot her favourite ever. “
Reflecting on his collaborations with Bowie and wife Iman, Klinko revealed:
“David was the most charismatic radiant human being and very good-looking.
“He was brilliantly intelligent but humble, chatty, friendly and fun. He had an astonishing knowledge of much from arts to music.
“I always remember when David came to my studio to edit some photos and there were half-naked models around for my latest shoot.
“And he joked: ‘It reminds of the 70s – not that I remember anything.’”
Swiss Klinko says that the suite will be permanent at the Westgate and his new celebrity clients will be inducted into the villa over time.
He is currently on a world tour exhibiting prints from the iconic Dangerously in Love album cover celebrating its 20th anniversary.
