Last week the Hollywood memorabilia auction house Profiles in History sold Marilyn Monroe's iconic pink satin gown from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Satine may have descended on a giant bedazzled swing for the 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend' number in Moulin Rouge, but nothing beats the visceral pizazz Marilyn exuded in the original. This number was so symbolic of the power of a woman's charms that even Madonna copied it in her video for 'Material Girl.' Which is probably why the new owner was willing to cough up $319,000 for the gown.
The dress itself demands your attention. The color, the shimmering satin -- but mostly the way Marilyn wears it -- is nothing short of showstopping. The very dress itself says, "It doesn't matter if you're after love, money or sex; wear me with confidence and you'll get what you want."
Personally, I always drooled over Audrey Hepburn's more understated, New York-chic look, but there's something about the clothing in the golden days of the silver screen that speaks to an audience. In the mid-20th century show business was still "SHOWBIZ!," and that over-the-top mentality translated to the wardrobe. The clothing created a persona bigger than the actor or character; an icon that moviegoers could worship and try to emulate. Liz Taylor's Cleopatra, Vivien Leigh's Scarlett, Rita Hayworth's Gilda; they were myths that transcended the ordinary human experience, and their clothes expressed that.
Audrey and Marilyn are typically the most commonly cited of these idols, but there are countless more. Jane Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich; who did you idolize growing up? Whose style still inspires you today?
examiner.com