William Travilla and Charles Le Maire are known to have designed most of the costumes for the Marilyn Monroe films. They used many brightly colored sheath dresses to mark the minds of the spectators.
Women prefer pink...
It was in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953), that Marilyn Monroe unveiled herself in pink and danced to Diamonds are a girl's best friends. This strapless dress with a huge bow and matching evening gloves, is created by William Travilla. Originally, a set of jeweled underwear was planned. This was without counting a series of photos resurfacing and showing Marilyn Monroe in her simplest device. Howard Hawks, the director, changes his mind and asks for a much less scandalous outfit.
William Travilla, inspired by the curves of Marilyn Monroe, sews on her body the incredible golden and low-cut dress that we find in this same film.
The mythical white dress of “The Seven Year Itch” (1954)
It is certainly one of the most famous dresses in cinema. Also designed by William Travilla, the dress was to mirror the ingenuous and mischievous personality of the character played by Marilyn Monroe.
The scene required 14 takes. Too many exclamations from the public and from the photographers who were watching Marilyn's petticoat rising in the wind in the metro's air vent, forced the team to shoot the scene again in the studio.
“How to Marry a Millionaire” (1953) in a purple dress, of course…
The magnificent bustier dress whose single strap crosses the neckline will not be William Travilla's only creation for the film.
The white pencil dress with the matching fur stole and the diamond-encrusted red swimsuit are also his.
Wear a purple sweater for “Let's make love” (1960)…
No need to wear gorgeous dresses to captivate Jean-Marc Clément (Yves Montand), just a purple sweater and a pair of black tights for Marilyn Monroe.
This legendary sweater was reissued by Gérard Darel in 2010 and worn by Robin Wright, at the time, ambassador of the house.
But what is the origin of this sweater?
Director John Huston has taken up residence in Ireland, he has even become an Irish citizen. His wife Ricki has become a fan of authentic Cleo, Dublin knits and tweeds.
Costume designer Dorothy Jeakins, three-time Oscar winner (Samson and Delilah 1951, Joan of Arc 1949, The Night of the Iguana 1965) also became a client of Cleo.
After the war, the Cléo boutique took advantage of the opening of Shannon airport and the enthusiasm of new North American tourists.
Dorothy Jeakins had already dressed Marilyn Monroe in the movie "Niagara" in 1953. A few years later, it was in this context that Dorothy Jeakins contacted Cleo in Dublin, around Christmas 1959, to order four identical Aran sweaters.
Cleo posted them in January 1960 at 20th Century Fox Studios in Hollywood where filming for Let's Make Love had begun.
In the opening dance scene, Marilyn in the role of Broadway actress Amanda Dell, sings "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" by Cole Porters. The Aran sweater then made its debut among the iconic pieces of Hollywood cinema.
Fun fact !
As the expert eye of knitters will have noticed… Marilyn wears two different sweaters in the song and dance sequence.
It is highly likely that four identical jerseys were ordered from Cleo. The wool could have been spun during the Christmas period. At the time, knitwear was handmade in the homes of knitters. However, it should be remembered that many Irish rural houses were still without electricity. The knits are made from memory and not with a particular pattern. This is what makes them unique and gives them a
At the time, knitters worked from their heads rather than with written patterns.
Why order four? it was probably to make sure you always have a spare in case it wears out.
Knitted in traditional wool, these sweaters were heavy and very warm. Originally, these sweaters were made to protect from the North Atlantic climate. Here you are, Hollywood's most iconic actress who dances, sings and is only dressed in an Aran knit, a leotard and tights.
It was during the chorus of Cole Porter's song "My heart belongs to Daddy", originally written for the 1938 musical "Leave it to me" and recorded by Ella Fitzgerald in 1939, that the sweater changed.
The knit will be sewn on Marilyn's leotard so that it stays in place.
The Aran sweater was then worn by John Lennon, Elvis, Steve McQueen and Princess Grace of Monaco.
