15 March 2012

A Marilyn Monroe Exhibition: Full of smiles, sequins and white teeth

Wearing the dress in the publicity poster for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
It's hard to believe that the oh so gorgeous Marilyn Monroe has been gone for nearly fifty years now, she died 15th August 1962 at just 36 years old. The beauty has certainly not been forgotten and there have been numerous books written about her, exhibitions, films and even a 26 feet-tall statue made of her in Chicago in her famous subway stance from 'The Seven Year Itch'. 


Now an exhibition to celebrate her life has been put on at the Getty Images Gallery in London. So I suggest you all hop on the train and go and see it. It is just off Oxford Street so after you've spent your whole months salary on those lovely purple peep toes that you've been admiring for two months, you can pop over to the Gallery and ogle at her for at least two hours.


The exhibition contains rare photographs, portraits, original videos, artefacts and the highlight for me is the dresses. Just the thought of seeing these makes me want to run to the station, even though I am still wearing my froggy pyjamas.
There are also some black and white photos of Marilyn with some taken in her early career when she was still a brunette and had the name Norma Jean Baker. Some photographs show Marilyn 'off duty' called 'Marilyn Resting' and 'Marilyn Relaxes', whilst others are of her posing for the camera. In her 'off duty' photos she is relaxed and exudes natural beauty, but she doesn't have her pyjamas on, scraggy hair or is eating a whole tub of ice cream, like most of us are when we are 'off duty'.


Photos include her in London with the yummy Laurence Olivier during filming 'The Prince and the Showgirl' and previously unseen contact sheets of her on the set of 'The Misfits' with the handsome Clark Gable and the sultry Montomgery Clift, that I really don't mind staring at for over an hour, thanks very much Google.

Now to the most exciting and jumping up and down on the spot point, the dresses. This is the first time ever that we have been able to stand for about four hours and admire her dresses.  The mannequins the dresses are placed on have been cut to Marilyn's actual size, well I'm sure its hard to find a dummy with all those curves. You simply cannot miss the divine sequin red dress from 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and the sparkling costume from 'There's no Business like Show Business'. There is also an exsquisite hand-embroidered ivory satin evening couture gown by Lanvin and Castillo. All the dresses show signs of wear and tear, from missing sequins to slight colour fades and stains to nearly unnoticeable rips all adding to the authenticity, although I doubt you'd be able to wear them for a 2 shots for £1 night out.

This exhibition is a great insight into the stars life and a perfect celebration of it. It runs until the 23rd May and is free to enter, so this is nearly as good as getting 20 Easter eggs at Easter for all you Marilyn fans. If you are unable to hop on the train or in fact a plane you can enjoy some of the pictures and photos of the dresses below, don't say I'm not good to you all.

Now another hour of staring at Montgomery Clift here we come, I love you Google.

Second Hand Rose
XxxX


Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jean Mortenson or Norma Jean Baker, 1926 - 1962) being photographed by Baron at her home in Palm Springs
Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962) arriving at the premiere of the film 'There's No Business like Show Business'American actor Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962) standing in a two-piece polka dot bathing suit and heels

Actress Marilyn Monroe wears a bathing suit as she ties the strap around her foot in her high heeled shoe in 1949













Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jean Mortenson or Norma Jean Baker, 1926 - 1962) takes her seat in the audience for a performance of the play 'A View From The Bridge', written by her husband Arthur Miller (left)





The Millers Ride Out













circa 1958: American film star Marilyn Monroe
American actress Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962) stands in a staircase alongside a wall with a floral-motif pattern, late 1950s
Natural: Marilyn took to her modelling career with ease, wowing studio heads who went on to hire her for their films
It's 1956, and a 30-year-old Marilyn is carried on the shoulder of American actor Don Murray on the set of director Joshua Logan's film Bus Stop
A 1955 photoshoot at the Ambassador Hotel in New York City in 1955, when Marilyn was 29 years oldLearning her lines: Marilyn studies her script in between takes

Sultry: After a decade of modelling, Marilyn perfected the art of seduction for the cameras
Attending a 1956 press conference at London's Savoy Hotel with British actor Laurence Olivier

















Costumes worn by Marilyn across her 29 feature films will be on display at the Getty Gallery exhibition
General view of the exhibition during the Marilyn private view at the Getty Images Gallery







General view of the exhibition during the Marilyn private view at the Getty Images Gallery
A red gown worn by Marilyn is on show at the gallery











Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962)

Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962)

18 comments:

  1. Amazing photos!
    Love that white gown!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  2. I love Marilyn! Wish I was closer to London! x

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  3. Oh I love Marilyn, too...who wouldn't? I want to fly to London to see this show! Any idea if the exhibit will be traveling to the US at all?
    SO funny about the pajamas and ice cream...I'm sitting here mid-day in my flannel owl pajamas :-)
    Hey, Marilyn seemed like a normal girl (in some ways!) and I think if she were alive today she'd definitely be workin' some flannels in her down time! Maybe with a little red lipstick ;-)

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  4. Hi :) i was just going through blogs because Im trying to get my online store out here, it is my new online store of high quality replicas. So I thought i could stop by the blogs of people who are into fashion and see if it is any interesting to your needs. It would be cool if you could check it out, it is very small right now, but i am planning on having a bigger online store by the end of the month. Thank you! :) (And maybe this is the kind of fashion that you need to complete your wardrobe!)
    http://nataliaglamour.bigcartel.com

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    Replies
    1. I've checked it out and I'm sure you are going to do very well! I do need these things to complete my wardrobe, but sadly my bank balance wouldn't be very happy! Good luck with everything! XxxX

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  5. So nice, wow!!! Love HER!!!!
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  6. I absolutely love Marilyn. When I switch on my computer she is my computers wallpaper. Love her, she is one of a kind. Thanks for your kind comments on my blog.

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  7. I didn't realize she was only 36 when she died. That is SO young! I am 31 and that just seems so young!!

    Amy

    fashionandbeautyfinds.blogspot.com

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  8. Yes, you are so good to us! Thankyou so much - she was so stunning (as were the clothes), and that smile - wow! xxxx

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  9. Ah cannot believe the exhibitions open! May have to pop in when I'm at home!
    She's such a natural beauty and I absolutely love hert! Those pictures are so gorgeous!

    I can relate on the froggy pyjamas front, I'm currently still sat in my dalmation ones!

    Love, Elizabeth xx

    http://butterflyboo.blogspot.com/

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  10. Wow, such gorgeous photos of her! x

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  11. ohh lovely pictures of her!!

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  12. These are such lovely pictures of her!
    Peaches says thank you for your comment! xo

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  13. I LOVE Marilyn Monroe! So glad you did this post because i had no idea but i'm definitely heading down to the exhibition!! i love the way you write all your posts. :) Thanks for the comments on my blog too.
    Lucy xxx
    http://lucylocketinyourpocket.blogspot.co.uk

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  14. Looks like a great exhibit. Oh how I love Marilyn.

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  15. Just found your blog, really love it! Now following :)
    Follow back?

    p.s. I love Marilyn Monroe! she's beautiful <3

    Emilie xoxo

    ReplyDelete

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