Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic Pink Gown Sells for Over $300,000

While Calvin Klein may be making a return to models over celebrities, it seems even dearly departed starlets can make a garment worth more than a traditional magazine editorial.

Marilyn Monroe’s famous “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” gown from the 1953 movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was auctioned for a gasp-worthy sum over $300,000 this past weekend. The money Los Angeles auction house Profiles in History brought in for the pink satin number, dubbed “”the most important film dress to ever come to auction,” was well over its predicted $255,000 tag. It is so far unclear what wealthy fashionista purchased the dress and what he or she plans to do with it. {Toronto Sun}

In May, we covered this auction announcement from Profiles in History, who specializes in offering Hollywood memorabilia. The Marilyn Monroe piece, also well-known for being imitated by Madonna in the music video for “Material Girl,” was the star attraction at the auction this weekend. The iconic actress would have turned 84 years old this week.

The money shelled out for the gown beats the nearly $276,000 paid for Princess Diana’s strapless black taffeta piece, which was also auctioned last week. The whopping $300k price tag of the pink gown would be impressive even to the gold-digging Lorelei, whom Marilyn Monroe portrays in the film, though it does pale in comparison to the $4 million coughed up last winter for the burial niche directly above her tomb. {InStyle}

More than 1500 Hollywood pieces were sold at the auction. The hat worn by the Wicked Witch of the West in the movie The Wizard of Oz went for an also eye-popping sum of $206,130, while Julie Andrews’ carpet bag from Mary Poppins brought in $97,911. Johnny Depp’s lasting popularity was evident as his bladed gloves from Edward Scissorhands and his Jack Sparrow jacket from The Pirates of the Caribbean movies sold for a combined total of $46,878. {University 5}