Marilyn Monroe: Fashion icon

The photos in this gallery are reproduced from "Marilyn in Fashion: The Enduring Influence of Marilyn Monroe," by Christopher Nickens and George Zeno. Putting the spotlight on the designers who decorated Marilyn's famous figure, "Marilyn in Fashion" offers a look at the way Monroe controlled her self-image via fashion. Full of color photos and divided in sections for designers such as Oleg Cassini and Emilio Pucci, the book tells the rarely-told stories behind iconic looks, such as the white dress Monroe wore over the subway grate in "The Seven Year Itch" and the sequined gown she wore to sing "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy.

Reprinted with permission from Marilyn in Fashion

Marilyn Monroe

Monroe models a costume the studio brass felt was too risque for "The Seven Year Itch." The bare midriff top was sleeveless, and the short shorts were topped with a soft leather belt that featured an unusual detail of tiny sewn-on buttons.

Reprinted with permission from Marilyn in Fashion

Marilyn Monroe

At columnist Walter Winchell

Marilyn Monroe

Monroe gives the photographer a seductive glance under a Garbo-esque black unblocked felt hat from the Laddie Northridge salon. This is another style she would only wear for a photo shoot.

Reprinted with permission from Marilyn in Fashion

Marilyn Monroe

March 1952: Monroe is on the run after tossing out the first ball for the "Out of This World Series," a charity softball game at Gilmore Field in Los Angeles. The dress is a Jeakins design for Niagara. It is dusty pink, made of tropical wool. The turn-out collar and a row of buttons add interest to the simple halter top. Monroe wore the dress for Niagara publicity photos, but not in the film.

Reprinted with permission from Marilyn in Fashion

Marilyn Monroe

Here Monroe wears the "On the Riviera" dress in September 1952 as her hair is subjected to a curling iron prior to the premiere of "Monkey Business," held at the Stanley Theatre in Atlantic City. "I saw clearly the qualities that would later make Marilyn Monroe so successful," wrote Oleg Cassini, "the sweetness, the vulnerability, the curious triple-edged naivete, at once innocent, encouraging, and gently mocking. This was not just a body walking around, there was a brain attached."

Reprinted with permission from Marilyn in Fashion

Marilyn Monroe

Monroe models a Moore chemise. This one is in black silk and trimmed with a rather absurd white organza bow. Since Monroe's curves were admired in every corner of the world by then, she didn

Marilyn Monroe

Monroe wore this gown to the March 29, 1951 Academy Awards, her only Oscar appearance (broadcast only on radio). The extremely low-cut sweetheart neckline was obscured by a layer of tulle that could be worn up over the shoulders or pulled down as she had done in this fashion shot.

Reprinted with permission from Marilyn in Fashion