Marilyn Monroe’s Lost Costume: The Story Behind a Hollywood Icon

Who would imagine that one of the most famous costumes in Hollywood history, the shocking pink satin dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, was actually a last-minute replacement?

The original design by William ‘Billy’ Travilla for the Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend sequence was far more risqué. It featured a black fishnet bodystocking up to the bust, covered in nude fabric and lavishly adorned with diamonds. Monroe was to wear this revealing outfit during one of the film’s most iconic scenes.

However, just as filming was underway, Monroe’s past resurfaced. News broke that she had posed nude for the Velvet Dreams calendar in 1949, long before she was famous. In response, the producers instructed Travilla to tone down the costume to avoid further controversy and reassure investors. The now-iconic pink satin gown was created as a more modest Plan B. The rest is history.

Colour test shot of Marilyn Monroe wearing the costume designed for
the ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ sequence

A Rare Glimpse of What Could Have Been

Few images of Monroe wearing the original costume exist. Its top half was later repurposed for How to Be Very, Very Popular, worn by actress Sheree North. Today, only the belt and feather fan from the original ensemble survive, held in the Greg Schreiner Collection.

Lot 139 in our forthcoming Autographs & Memorabilia auction offers an exceptionally rare test photograph of Monroe wearing this original costume. Even more remarkably, the photograph is signed and inscribed by Monroe herself, addressed to ‘Tommy’. While the identity of the recipient is not confirmed, it is tempting to speculate that it could be her co-star Tommy Noonan, who played Lorelei Lee’s wealthy fiancé.

Black and white test photographs of Monroe in the original costume, from the Twentieth Century Fox Archives

Enduring Appeal of Monroe Memorabilia

Monroe remains one of the most iconic and collectable figures in film history. Signed photographs and memorabilia associated with her career consistently achieve strong results at auction. In 2010, the pink satin dress from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes sold for $310,000. In 2011, her red sequinned gown from We’re Just Two Little Girls from Little Rock fetched over $1.47 million.

Interested in the value of your signed photographs, letters or memorabilia?

Contact our Autographs & Memorabilia department for a complimentary valuation.
Email: autographs@chiswickauctions.co.uk or use our Online Valuation Form.