My day with Marilyn Monroe.

Hello darlings

Today post is all about my trip to London to see the Marilyn Monroe exhibition last Wednesday (15th). Back in 2012 i went my first Marilyn Monroe exhibition, which was in the American Museum in Bath, where i live. Before then i'd been in ore of Marilyn since i was about 10 years old. When i heard that David Gainsburg-Roberts collection was being auctioned off later in the year i knew this would be my last chance to see Marilyn belongs before hey are scatted across the world. The exhibition was in the Design Center in Chelsea Harbour in London, i went up on my own last minute decision as the exhibition is only in England in till 20th June so i had to go straight away! 

1959 Austin Healey, 'Frogeye' Sprite (used as a prop).

 One thing that always gets me when i see Marilyn's clothes were just how small she was, i'm not meaning height i mean her figure. History has portrayed her to be a larger actress of the time, the media said she was a size 16 but that is not true, i'm a size 10 and i wouldn't get into her garments, she was a 35-22-35. There was lots a movie footage showing Marilyn in each item, setting the scene and giving the publci a glimpse of the goddess. I took many pictures, so here they are! 

Dresses pictured: (L to R)

The Niagara dress: A carnation pink linen halter style "wiggle dress" made for Marilyn as 'Rose Loomis' in the Thriller Niagara.

The Rose Tattoo Premiere Grown: A Black slender fitting gown worn by Marilyn while accompanying Marlon Brandon to the New York City Premiere of the Rose Tattoo.

There's No Business like show Business Swim Costume: An embellished one-piece costume made for Marilyn as 'Vicky Hoffman' in the musical There's No Business Like Show Business    

L To R

Robe: A cream cotton mandarin style robe owned by Marilyn and gifted to her personal assistant May Reis. 

L to R

Bus Stop Studio Promotional Bodice: A pale green bodice with floral lace overlay created by 20th Century Fox int he style of a bodice worn by Marilyn on Bus Stop.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Costume: A black sequined dance leotard worn by Marilyn as 'Lorelei Lee' in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

L to R

Niagara Negligee:A slender fitting black chiffon negligee with an applied silk rose made for Marilyn as 'Rose Loomis' in the thriller Niagara. 

L to R

Studio evening gown: A black evening gown with plunging neckline from an unknown production with a biased label inscribed 'M Monroe 12730396.

Bus stop costume: A jade embellished satin leotard worn by Marilyn while singing 'that old back magic' in a salon scene in Joshua Logan's Bus Stop.  

I had to take a cheeky selfie.

L to R

Cecil Chapman Cocktail Dress: A Cecil Chapman black figure hugging cocktail dress owned by Marilyn. The ranched dress has a clack silk taffeta three-tired detail attached to the hip. 

Lanvin Gown: A Castillo for Jeanne Lanvin circa 1950s gown owned by Marilyn. The ivory silk gown is embellished with gold bullion embroidery, simulated 

No business like show business: A figure hugging embellished gown worn by Marilyn while singing 'After you get what you want, you don't want it' int he musical 'no business lie show business'. 

Top row

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes dress worn by Jane Russell:  A ruby sequin embellished figure hugging crepe gown worn by Jane Russel in the opening scene of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. 

Marilyn letters and notes. 

Collection of Marilyn's personal belongings 

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience even if the journey up to London as interesting, many different trains and losing directions! I would highly recommend going, although it does end tomorrow, but it goes on tour so if its coming to your country i would go see it, and its free. 

I'd love to know have you every been to a exhibition that has stuck in your mind?

Have you been to this exhibition. 

<3 

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