The Beauty of Imitation: Recreating Marilyn Monroe’s Signature Look
With the highly-anticipated Netflix movie about Marilyn Monroe’s life, Blonde, about to premiere, Marilyn’s most memorable looks are more top of mind than ever before. It’s said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and if true, makes Marilyn Monroe one of the most flattered figures of all time. Some of the recreations of her looks, like Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala, are almost as talked about as the original themselves.
In anticipation of Ana de Armas’ interpretation, let’s break down some of the best homages to Marilyn Monroe’s classic look!
Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala x Marilyn’s JFK Gold Dress
Not only did Kim recreate this look — she wore the original dress. The look was surrounded by controversy about Kim’s dramatic weight loss and the irreparable damage on the dress. The only question remains — would Pete Davidson’s legendary BDE would have worked on Monroe?
“I had to lose 16 pounds to be able to fit it,” Kardashian shared with La La Anthony on the red carpet. “It was like a role. I was determined to do it.”
Madonna’s Material Girl x Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend
Icons begot icons, and Madonna’s classic Material Girl is one of the classic songs of the 80’s (and now stuck in my head for the day)! In the video, Madonna draws clear inspiration from the 1953 film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”In her modern interpretation of Monroe’s musical number, Madonna positions herself as more empowered than Monroe, and displays more control over the men in the scene and her life, and a more satirical interest in material goods.
“My favorite scene in all of Monroe’s movies is when she does that dance sequence for ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’. And when it came time to do the video for the song, I said, I can just redo that whole scene and it will be perfect,” Madonna said in 1987 to the New York Daily News.
Scarlett Johansson’s Dolce and Gabbana Ad x Marilyn’s Signature Look
Speaking of Material Girls, who could forget Johansson’s transformation into Monroe as an ad campaign for Dolce & Gabbana spring makeup line in 2010? While Johansson shares a striking resemblance to Monroe, she has revealed that she has “no interest” in playing the starlet in a full-length feature film.
“There’s a lot there to explore, and I like to watch other people do it, but I have no interest,” Johansson told USA Today in 2011
Lindsay Lohan’s New York Magazine Cover x Marilyn’s “The Last Sitting”
From beach club to bombshell! Photographer Bert Stern helped Lindsay Lohan recreate Monroe’s last-ever photoshoot that preceded the actress’s fatal overdose by a mere 6 weeks. It’s clear to see the comparison between the two stars doesn’t end with the photoshoot, from undeniable on-screen charisma, singing talents, struggles in the public eye, and battles with substance abuse.
“I didn’t have to put much thought into it,” Lindsay Lohan told New York. “I mean, Bert Stern? Doing a Marilyn shoot? When is that ever going to come up? It’s really an honor.”
Lisa Marie Presley’s Photoshoot x Marilyn’s Signature Makeup
For his famous book, Making Faces, Kevyn Aucoin has famously made over a number of celebrities into their classic counterpart, including Winona Ryder as Elizabeth Taylor, Kiara Kabakuri as Diana Ross, Julianne Moore as Twiggy, and of course, Lisa Marie Presley as Marilyn Monroe.
On Instagram in 2018, Lisa Marie Presley shared, “Kevyn is a pure genius and an angel who has touched my heart forever!”
Beyond the stars who have been inspired by Marilyn, there are those who have been transformed into the icon herself. From Michelle Williams’ My Week with Marilyn to Ana de Armas’ hotly anticipated Blonde biopic, Marilyn’s staying power transcends her time spent on film and in the public eye. My interview about the glam behind Blonde drops on Sept 28 — don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube and be the first to hear the interview!
Header Image Credit: Vogue