Marilyn in Fashion: The Enduring Influence of Marilyn Monroe

Front Cover
Running Press, 2012 M07 3 - 288 pages

Fifty years after her death, Marilyn remains an incandescent movie star, legendary sex symbol, and a woman whose private life fascinates the public—but the story never before showcased is Marilyn Monroe's enduring impact on fashion.

From the pink satin “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend” gown, to the pleated white dress from The Seven Year Itch to the revealing nude sheath worn to sing “Happy Birthday” to JFK, Marilyn created endless unforgettable looks. Before they were household names, she wore Ferragamo pumps, carried Gucci bags and wore the designs of Oleg Cassini, Norman Norell, Emilio Pucci and Jean Louis. In an era of Peter Pan collars, poodle skirts, and repressed sexuality, Marilyn's sexy style and ability to spot up-and-coming designers made her a fashion visionary.

Marilyn in Fashion traces the evolution of her style, from wholesome sweetness early in her career, to sex kitten looks in the ‘50s, to elegant sophistication in the last years of her life. The text details the designers of her ensembles, where she wore them, and their influence on fashion. Behind-the-scenes stories reveal how the star often worked closely with designers to create looks befitting the Marilyn Monroe image. Illustrated with hundreds of rare and never-before-published photos, Marilyn in Fashion fabulously traces the style evolution of the ultimate Hollywood icon.

About the author (2012)

Christopher Nickens has been writing about Hollywood luminaries for over twenty-five years. His credits include a definitive photo biography of Bette Davis, which the star herself called "The most sensational record of my life in book form as yet." He lives in Los Angeles. George Zeno, a former fashion illustrator for 7th avenue design houses is owner of arguably the largest privately owned collection on Marilyn Monroe in the World. He is known as one of the leading authorities on the star, once profiled in Life magazine as the ultimate Marilyn expert. He lives in New York.

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