Marilyn Monroe turns 100 and Barbie is celebrating in style
The new Marilyn Monroe Barbie Signature Doll takes inspiration from one of the actress and singer’s most memorable performances, bringing a little old-school Hollywood glamour to Barbie’s growing collection of cultural icons.
A little pink, a lot of Marilyn
The doll recreates Marilyn’s unforgettable look from the Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend sequence in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Think a bold pink satin gown, an oversized bow, dramatic gloves and plenty of sparkle. It is a look that has become almost as recognisable as Marilyn herself, and Barbie’s latest version brings all of that glamour into collectible form.
The design was created in collaboration with The Estate of Marilyn Monroe LLC, with the Barbie design team working closely with the estate throughout the process.
Celebrating the woman behind the icon
Of course, there was much more to Marilyn than the famous dresses and Hollywood photographs.
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson on 1 June 1926, she went from humble beginnings to becoming one of the biggest stars of her generation, making her mark as an actress and singer.
She was also a businesswoman and industry pioneer. Marilyn established her own production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, becoming one of the first women in Hollywood to take greater control over her career and the projects she worked on.
That ambition is also part of what Barbie is celebrating with the new doll.
Robert Best, vice president and dolls design creative director at Mattel, says the release is intended to recognise Marilyn’s wider legacy.
“More than a tribute to this unforgettable look, we are honouring Marilyn as a pioneer, a savvy producer, a businesswoman and a boundary-breaking artist,” he says.
Barbie and Marilyn go way back
This isn't Barbie’s first tribute to the Hollywood star.
The brand previously released Marilyn Monroe dolls between 1997 and 2009, celebrating some of her most memorable movie roles and fashion moments.
The new Signature release gives collectors a fresh interpretation of the icon, complete with an all-new doll sculpt and outfit inspired by one of her most famous performances.
The Marilyn Monroe Barbie has arrived
The Marilyn Monroe Barbie Signature Doll is now available through Mattel Creations and selected leading retailers.
For collectors, it is a chance to add a little Hollywood history to their shelves, while Marilyn fans get another beautifully dressed reminder of why her style continues to inspire almost 100 years after her birth.
