Marilyn Monroe Personal Exotic Harem Costume Worn in Her Famous 1958 Richard Avedon Photo Shoot for LIFE

Description

Marilyn Monroe Personal Exotic Harem Costume Worn in Her Famous 1958 Richard Avedon Photo Shoot for LIFE Magazine. Originally sold as Lot 25 in the famous Christie's "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe" auction held October 27-28, 1999, the auction catalog states (in part): "In December 1958 Marilyn Monroe sat for a LIFE Magazine photo shoot with photographer Richard Avedon. In addition to posing as Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich, Lillian Russell, and Clara Bow, she donned an exotic harem girl's outfit with appropriate hair and makeup to imitate Theda Bara in Cleopatra, with the hope of winning the role that ultimately went to Elizabeth Taylor."
Costume consists of a skirt of orange and yellow chiffon scarves attached to a gold lamé bikini bottom with an ornate belt of embossed leather encrusted with amber colored faux jewels, a gold lamé top with metal chain halter designed with snake motif cups with faux emerald "snake eyes" and center textured metal gold-toned ring with four amber colored faux jewels, together with matching snake motif headdress of padded gold textured fabric with three amber colored faux jewels and hanging faux chainmail ornamentation on each temple, and three textured imitation gold metal bangles. Costume exhibits expected age, with some missing and partially detached faux jewels; belt leather is detached in areas with loose/detached trim pieces and missing ornamental ring; one chiffon scarf is detached but present. A phenomenally beautiful and elaborate costume worn by Marilyn in a very high-profile photo shoot by Richard Avedon, one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, spanning fashion, portraiture and visual culture. Comes with original auction tags from the Christie's, New York, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe", October 17-18, 1999, Lot 25. Accompanied with an original 1983 poster print, measuring 23" x 28", entitled "Marilyn Monroe as Theda Bara by Richard Avedon" featuring Monroe wearing this exotic harem costume. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

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