Julien’s Auctions’ “Property from the Life and Career of Marilyn Monroe” sale on November 1 in Beverly Hills will feature more of the iconic star’s film costumes and clothing from some of her best-known movies.
Highlights of the auction will be three costumes Monroe wore in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, There’s No Business Like Show Business and River of No Return, and a black cocktail dress likely worn to the 1958 press conference for Some Like It Hot. The collection of 115 items also includes artefacts from her personal life.
In the opening number from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, the 1953 musical comedy that catapulted Monroe to stardom, she and Jane Russell sang Two Little Girls from Little Rock. The red silk sequinned dress Monroe wore for this number is expected to fetch up to $80000 (nearly R1.2million).
Also on offer is a three-piece she wore in the 1954 musical There’s No Business Like Show Business, which is expected to fetch up to $80000. Monroe sang the raunchy Heat Wave number while wearing the daring black silk bandeau top adorned with sequins and bead-balls, with black floral skirt lined with layers of pink silk ruffles.
The outfit also included a black silk bikini-style bottom brief and over-sized straw hat with silk flowers. The racy costume was met with controversy and Monroe’s husband at the time, Joe DiMaggio, refused to be photographed with her wearing the costume on set.
A yellow silk period gown worn by Monroe in the final scene of the 1954 western River of No Return is also likely to change hands for up to $80000.
Monroe’s knee-length black silk crepe cocktail dress with plunging V-neck and back worn to the 1958 press conference for Some Like It Hot is expected to fetch up to $40000.
The four outfits are on display in London at The Mayfair Hotel until Mondaybefore being sent to the U.S. for exhibition and auction in Beverly Hills.
For more details about online bidding, email [email protected].