Very few personalities have left a lasting effect on the fashion industry, arguably the world, as Marilyn Monroe has. Sixty years after her death at age 36, Monroe still reigns as the ultimate style supreme. Her blonde curls, bee-stung red lips, beauty mark, playful nature, and winsome embodiment of the Hollywood sex symbol have served as an influence throughout the decades, making her one of Hollywood’s eternal icons.
Monroe had a penchant for glamour which now, more than ever — especially after the coronavirus pandemic, people are looking to for extravagant feel-good dressing. Celebrities from Billie Eilish to Winnie Harlow and Kylie Jenner have channeled the icon’s glamorous looks. Meanwhile, Kim Kardashian, whose dark pin-straight hair, contoured cheekbones, and iconic silhouette is a modern-day parallel to that of Monroe’s beauty influence, quite literally pulled the late star’s actual iconic 1962 “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress out the archives for the 2022 Met Gala red carpet.
The world’s collective fascination with Monroe stems beyond influencing style. Netflix released a docuseries titled The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe earlier this year, which is about the hours leading up to her death. And now, the streaming platform is releasing the highly anticipated and controversial biopic Blonde on September 23, featuring actress Ana de Armas as the one and only late star.
Ahead, GRAZIA USA pays tribute to Monroe and her undeniable and everlasting legacy in fashion by looking back at her most iconic looks.
Monroe, who wore a Bob Mackie dress, sings “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden for his upcoming 45th birthday. In 2022, Kardashian wore it to the Met Gala red carpet.
Monroe in a ruby red gown and matching pumps with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes co-star Jane Russell.
The iconic white dress and stiletto combo worn as wind from a subway grate blows it upward during filming of The Seven Year Itch in Manhattan.
Glamorous Monroe in all her splendor arrives at the Astor Theater for the world premiere of the film, The Rose Tattoo. The proceeds of the performance went to the Actors’ Studio, a non-profit workshop for actors, directors, and playwrights.
Entertaining U.S. Troops in a deep blue dress that formed her signature curves.
Monroe in her signature silhouette curve-fitting gown.
Other than form fitting gowns, Monroe was noted for popularizing the itsy polka dot bikini.
Posing for a portrait wearing a fur shawl in circa 1955.
Evening attire was her strong suit, naturally. Here she is wearing a white fur wrap and strapless evening gown during a party for the film How To Marry A Millionaire at director Jean Negulescu’s house in Hollywood, California.
Portrait of Monroe posing in a white beaded gown on the 20th Century Fox studios set of director Walter Lang’s film, There’s No Business Like Show Business.
Arriving at the premiere of the film There’s No Business like Show Business, she flaunted a shimmery belted gown, which cinched her iconic waist.
Monroe attended the Golden Globe Awards, where she won the “Henrietta” award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 5, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. The frock was later re-created by Kardashian as an option for her 2022 Met Gala look.
