Inside The Costume Box: 3/1/12

Marilyn Monroe

1926-1962

Marilyn Monroe aka Norma Jeane Mortenson was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s.

After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Her early film appearances were minor, but her performances in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve drew attention to her—by now her hair was dyed blonde. By 1953, Monroe had progressed to a leading role in Niagara, a melodramatic film noir that dwelled on her seductiveness. Her "dumb blonde" persona was used to comic effect in subsequent films such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire and The Seven Year Itch.

Limited by typecasting, Monroe studied at the Actors Studio to broaden her range. Her dramatic performance in Bus Stop was hailed by critics, and she received a Golden Globe nomination. Her production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, released The Prince and the Showgirl, for which she received a BAFTA Award nomination and won a David di Donatello award. She received a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Some Like It Hot. Monroe's final completed film was The Misfits, co-starring Clark Gable with the screenplay written by her then-husband, Arthur Miller.

The final years of Monroe's life were marked by illness, personal problems, and a reputation for being unreliable and difficult to work with. The circumstances of her death, from an overdose of barbiturates, have been the subject of conjecture. Though officially classified as a "probable suicide", the possibility of an accidental overdose, as well as the possibility of homicide, have not been ruled out. In 1999, Monroe was ranked as the sixth greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute. In the years and decades following her death, Monroe has often been cited as both a pop and a cultural icon as well as the quintessential American female sex symbol.

My Week With Marilyn - Official Trailer

Marilyn Monroe is one of our top selling costumes. Her legacy lives on and we have all the right accessories and costumes to make you live a night in

Marilyn Monroe's shoes.

Marilyn Costume - "Being a sex symbol is a heavy load to carry, especially when one is tired, hurt and bewildered".(MM)

Find out if gentlemen do prefer blondes with this Deluxe Marilyn outfit for women. The signature pleated dress will have them tripping over themselves for you, just add a platinum wig and matching shoes.

Marilyn Wig - "I'm very definitely a woman and I enjoy it." (MM)

Marilyn Monroe; sex symbol and one of the most famous women of the 20th Century...Now it's your time to shine with this tousled, blond, two-tone wig...

Marilyn Monroe Jewellery Set - "I don't want to make money, I just want to be wonderful".(MM)

No Marilyn outfit would be complete without a diamond necklace, and this Marilyn Jewellery Set is just the thing.Perfect for recreating the iconic movie stars look, or adding glitter to any diva outfit.