Marilyn Monroe’s "There's No Business Like Show Business" dress sells for $218,750

A dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in the 1954 classic 'There's No Business Like Show Business" has sold at Juliens Auctions in Los Angeles for $218,750. 

Marilyn Monroe's There's No Business Like Show Business dress sells at Juliens
Image: Juliens Auctions

 

The figure hugging sheer white gown, designed by William Travilla, was estimated to self or $100,000 but 18 bids took it to twice the figure.

The auction featured another Marilyn dress - the sequined leotard that Marilyn wore in Gentleman Prefer Blondes, which sold for $102,400.

Juliens' Martin Dolan told us “Marilyn Monroe lives on forever as the quintessential Hollywood Legend whose historical and cultural impact will continue to be celebrated in the next millennium and beyond,”

Juliens also sold the most iconic piece of Marliyn Monroe memorabilia back in 2016 when Marilyn's 'Happy Birthday Mr President' dress went under the hammer at $4,800,000.

The purchaser was Ripley’s Believe It or Not! who have since kept the dress in a vault in Orlando and now self-value it at $10,000,000.

Ripley's famously lent the dress to Kim Kardashian to wear at The Met Gala in May 2022.

Marilyn's most expensive dress is the Seven Year Itch Subway dress that sold for $5,658,000 as part of the June 2011 Debbie Reynolds memorabilia auction at Profiles in History.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

1 of 3

Selling your memorabilia?

If you have interesting items we'd love to hear from you. We will either buy directly, offer on your behalf, or introduce you to one of our partner auction houses to ensure you achieve the highest price possible, with the lowest commission.