$4,810,000
A Jean Louis designed illusion gown worn by Marilyn Monroe at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 19, 1962, at a Democratic fundraiser and 45th birthday celebration for President John F. Kennedy. Early in 1962, Monroe asked famed Hollywood costume designer Jean Louis to create a dress “that only Marilyn Monroe could wear.” The nude soufflé chiffon gown, perfectly matching Monroe’s skin tone, was embellished with hand-sewn round crystals, carefully placed since the dress was created with no underlining layer. Monroe wore no undergarments that night, instead relying on Louis’ masterful swirls of crystals in precisely the right places. Under the stage lights of Madison Square Garden, the fabric of the dress appeared to melt away, leaving only twinkling rays of light from the crystals reflected by the spotlight covering Monroe. The gown was designed as a sleeveless column dress with a scoop neck and open back with clear zipper, covered by hook and eye tab closure and a small train at the back hem. Despite the zipper and closures, the gown was so form fitting that Louis later disclosed that Monroe had to be sewn into the back closure. His hand stitching is still evident beneath the lower back hook and eye tabs. Since 1999, the dress has been displayed on a custom conservator mannequin. In this dress, Monroe sang her unique version of “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy and a crowd of 15,000 well-wishers. Some have posited that Monroe’s delayed appearance on stage and
Auctioneer:
Juliens Auctions
Date:
2016-11-17
