Mattel, the toymaker behind Barbie, has released a Signature Marilyn Monroe Doll priced at £100 each, in partnership with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), the owners of Marilyn’s estate, in honour of her 100th birthday. Barbie’s gown is inspired by the pink satin sheath originally designed by Travilla for the ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ number from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), removing the distinctive belt buckle and adding a sweetheart neckline with darker trim, a fishtail skirt, and a train with multiple bows.
Mattel previously released three other Barbies featuring straightforward replicas of the ‘Diamond dress’ and other costumes from Blondes, including the red sequined ‘Little Rock’ costume and gold lamé gown.
Costumes from other Monroe films – such as the red bathing suit and the diagonal-strap evening gown from How to Marry a Millonaire (1953), and the famous white halter-dress from The Seven Year Itch (1955) – have also entered the Barbie universe, where the earliest Marilyn-themed dolls were produced during the 1980s.
