In 1953, a blonde bombshell draped in pink satin and dripping with diamonds grew to become considered one of cinema’s most enduring photographs of glamour. Seven a long time later, the look Marilyn Monroe wore in “Gents Want Blondes” continues to be alive in popular culture’s zeitgeist by means of fixed references and superstar reinterpretations. The pink gown, nevertheless, would have by no means existed if it hadn’t been for a controversial second in Monroe’s profession.
Monroe was rapidly rising in Hollywood when she acquired forged to exchange Betty Grable as Lorelei Lee in “Gents Want Blondes.” She was paired with costume designer William Travilla, with whom she had beforehand labored on “Monkey Enterprise” (1952) and collaborated with six extra occasions in her profession.
Earlier than the pink gown, Travilla had created a distinct costume for Monroe to put on within the film till twentieth Century Fox’s studio head Darryl F. Zanuck compelled him to vary his plans.
Marilyn Monroe sporting her pink gown in “Gents Want Blondes.”
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Whereas they have been filming “Gents Want Blondes,” a journalist named Aline Mosby uncovered information that Monroe had posed nude for photographer Tom Kelley in 1949. By 1952, one of many pictures had been printed in a calendar. Involved about how the knowledge would have an effect on the movie on the field workplace, Zanuck reportedly informed Monroe to disclaim the authenticity of the pictures. She didn’t.
“Why deny it? You will get one at anywhere,” Monroe informed Mosby for United Press. “Apart from, I’m not ashamed of it. I’ve carried out nothing incorrect. I used to be every week behind my hire. I needed to have the cash,” she stated.
The actress defined that Kelley had requested her to pose for him many occasions however lastly determined to do it out of monetary necessity. “Tom didn’t assume anybody would acknowledge me. My hair was lengthy then. However when the image got here out, all people knew me,” she stated. “I’d by no means have carried out it if I’d identified issues would occur in Hollywood so quick for me. I used to be informed I ought to deny I’d posed.…However I’d slightly be sincere about it.”
Following the controversy, Zanuck reportedly referred to as Travilla and informed him to create a distinct costume for Monroe to put on in the course of the “Diamonds Are a Woman’s Finest Pal” quantity, masking up her physique. The unique costume deliberate for that scene was fabricated from nude cloth and a fishnet physique stocking with rhinestone gildings. Monroe had already carried out wardrobe exams sporting the look.
Marilyn Monroe sporting her pink gown in “Gents Want Blondes.”
FilmPublicityArchive/United Arch
Travilla then created the notorious pink silk gown. The strapless robe featured black satin lining, an oversize bow hooked up on the again and an integral brassier with rear zipper closure. Monroe was styled within the ensemble with opera-length gloves and a pink taffeta belt.
What occurred to Marilyn Monroe’s pink gown?
The placement of the pink gown remained unknown till 2010, when Profiles in Historical past introduced its Hollywood Public sale 40, that includes Travilla’s creation as its important star.
“The robe displays slight firming in areas, frequent in silk clothes from this period; in any other case in positive situation. The leather-based backing on the belt is cracked and lacking in areas and silk displays fraying on edges,” stated the outline.
Marilyn Monroe sporting her pink gown in “Gents Want Blondes.”
FilmPublicityArchive/United Arch
An nameless purchaser acquired the piece for $310,000, exceeding the public sale home’s expectations by 55 %. The gown hasn’t been proven to the general public since.
Madonna’s ‘Materials Woman’ gown and extra reinterpretations
In 1985, Madonna recreated Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Woman’s Finest Pal” scene for the musical video of “Materials Woman.” The singer’s pink gown was designed by Marlene Stewart, who was Madonna’s costume designer on the time.
Madonna in “Materials Woman.”
Different celebrities have nodded to Monroe’s pink gown through the years.
In 2004, Anna Nicole Smith starred in a “Gents Want Fur-Free Blondes” advert for Peta, sporting a model of the pink gown. On the 2024 Oscars, Ryan Gosling channeled his interior Monroe in a stud-embellished pink go well with for his “I’m Simply Ken” efficiency.
Ryan Gosling performs “I’m Simply Ken” from “Barbie” onstage in the course of the 96th Annual Academy Awards.
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Camila Cabello, Blake Full of life, Kylie Minogue, Katie Couric and Kylie Jenner have additionally worn costumes impressed by Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Woman’s Finest Pal” gown.
