💰 Price: $4.8 Million (sold at Julien’s Auctions, 2016)
👩🎤 Worn by: Marilyn Monroe
🎨 Designer: Jean Louis
📅 Year: 1962
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This stunning, nude-colored gown was custom-designed for Marilyn Monroe to wear during her legendary performance of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” for President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962.
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The dress was so tight that Monroe was literally sewn into it before going on stage.
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It featured over 2,500 hand-stitched rhinestones, each placed to shimmer under stage lighting, giving the illusion that she was glowing.
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The fabric was made from a sheer silk soufflé, designed to match her skin tone perfectly — making the gown appear as if it was part of her.
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Historical significance: The performance became one of the most talked-about cultural moments of the 20th century.
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Craftsmanship: Hand-sewn with intricate detailing by an Oscar-winning designer.
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Celebrity association: Monroe’s legend and the Kennedy connection elevate its value far beyond material worth.
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Rarity: One of the few surviving couture gowns directly tied to such a famous public performance.
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Originally designed by Jean Louis for Marilyn in 1962.
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Sold at auction in 1999 for over $1.26 million.
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Resold in 2016 by Julien’s Auctions for $4.8 million to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, where it’s occasionally exhibited under high security and climate-controlled conditions.
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In 2022, it was briefly worn by Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala (causing controversy due to its delicate preservation needs).
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Full name: Jean Louis Berthault
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Origin: Paris, France 🇫🇷
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Career: Moved to Hollywood in the 1930s and became one of the most respected costume designers in film history.
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Notable Work: Designed gowns for stars like Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, and Marilyn Monroe.
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Signature Style: Elegant, body-hugging silhouettes that enhanced a woman’s natural form; famous for his use of luxurious fabrics and hand-embellished details.
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Awards: Won an Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Costume Design for “The Solid Gold Cadillac” (1956).
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Legacy: His creation for Marilyn Monroe — the rhinestone-covered nude gown — became one of the most recognizable and valuable dresses in history.
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