On the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monro’s birth,lconic Hollywood costume return to public view.
To mark the 100th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth, some of the most famous costumes in cinema history have been brought out from private collections and archives for a special exhibition in Los Angeles. These pieces, regarded as part of Hollywood’s cultural heritage, hold a unique place in the collective memory of the twentieth century.
Marilyn Monroe was one of the rare figures who became, at the same time, a symbol of beauty, fame, fashion, and popular culture. Yet her life extended far beyond the “dumb blonde” image that Hollywood often projected through her film roles.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles has organized the exhibition “Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon” in an effort to present a more complete picture of the legendary actress. According to the exhibition’s organizers, the goal is to highlight Monroe’s role as an influential artist and as a woman who actively shaped her own public image.
Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, experienced a difficult childhood marked by poverty, foster homes, and time spent in orphanages. She married at the age of sixteen and later entered the worlds of modeling and film, adopting the name Marilyn Monroe. During the 1950s, she achieved international fame through films such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch, and Some Like It Hot.
Monroe’s personal life was also the subject of intense media attention. She married three times: first to James Dougherty, then to baseball star Joe DiMaggio, and finally to renowned playwright Arthur Miller. All three marriages ended in divorce, and her private life was often shaped by the pressures and challenges of celebrity.
On August 4, 1962, Marilyn Monroe died at her home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles at the age of 36. The official cause of death was ruled an overdose of sleeping pills, an event that remains one of the most debated and controversial episodes in Hollywood history.
The exhibition features hundreds of photographs, letters, film contracts, production documents, and personal belongings. Among the most popular attractions are Monroe’s iconic film costumes.
One of the exhibition’s highlights is the famous pink gown Monroe wore in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes while performing the song “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” The dress later became one of the most recognizable costumes in the history of both cinema and fashion.
The creation of the dress came under unusual circumstances. After old nude photographs of Monroe resurfaced, executives at 20th Century Fox worried about the potential impact on her reputation. In response, costume designer William Travilla quickly developed a new design that would go on to become one of the most enduring symbols of Hollywood glamour.
After filming ended, the dress was sold for just $12 and was long believed to have been lost. However, it was eventually rediscovered and sold at auction in 2010 for $310,000. It is now once again on public display.
Visitors can also view the famous white dress from The Seven Year Itch, worn during the iconic scene in which Monroe stands over a subway grate as a gust of air lifts her skirt. The image remains one of the most celebrated and recognizable moments in film history.
More than simply a collection of costumes and memorabilia, “Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon” tells the story of a woman whose influence on cinema, fashion, and global popular culture has endured far beyond her short life. More than sixty years after her death, Marilyn Monroe continues to inspire artists and admirers around the world.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
