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Hot News NEXT BODY Tattoos
Hot News NEXT BODY Tattoos

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Coming Soon: Limited Edition Book on Emilio Pucci

Every Marilyn Monroe fan knows that she was drawn to the bright shades and sharp designs of the Pucci brand of clothing and accessories. Countless images show her wearing a simple Pucci design in bright solids, as well as the geometric patterns and classic looks that clearly rendered them Pucci just with a simple glance.

Marilyn was wearing a vibrant green Pucci blouse in the last ever photos of her taken the weekend before she died, and Marilyn was actually buried in a green Pucci dress.

Taschen is releasing a limited edition book on the House of Pucci. From their website:


The Pucci story is a remarkably modern epic with its roots in renaissance Italy. Hundreds of photographs, drawings, and candid shots from the archive of the Emilio Pucci Foundation capture the breathtaking elegance and drama of this unique brand, built on innovation. Limited edition of 10.000 copies; each unique copy is bound with one of a selection of recent print fabrics from the Pucci collection.

To read more about this book and to see images, click here.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Marilyn Monroe's Pearls to be Exhibited

Jeweler Mikimoto has announced that it will be displaying the pearls once owned by Marilyn Monroe as part of The Bond Street Culture & Heritage Week June 7 to 13, Bond Street being a section of exclusive and high end shopping salons in London.


While legend tells that the Emperor of Japan gave Marilyn the pearls when she was on her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio in 1954, Mikimoto actually claims to be the party that gifted her the necklace. The official Mikimoto press release:

Mikimoto exhibits Monroe’s pearls for The Bond Street Culture & Heritage Week

Pearl jeweller Mikimoto has announced that it will exhibit Marilyn Monroe’s Mikimoto pearl necklace as part of The Bond Street Culture & Heritage Week June 7 to 13.

The Japanese company presented the Akoya pearl necklace to the late film star on her 1954 honeymoon with then husband Joe DiMaggio. Monroe later gave the necklace to close friend Paula Strasberg, who then passed it onto her daughter Susan Strasberg following the screen icon’s death. The necklace is claimed to have been one of the only pieces of fine jewellery owned by Marilyn, who is reported to have worn mostly costume jewellery..

Mikimoto was founded by Kokichi Mikimoto in 1893 and led the way in the cultivation of Akoya and South Sea pearls.

Susan Strasberg sold the necklace in 1998, and the letter below about the necklace is in her own handwriting. It's dated June 29, 1998. Sadly, Strasberg died January 29 of the following year.




Wednesday, May 19, 2010

LIFE Magazine Photo Archives: The Night Marilyn Sang to JFK

On May 19, 1962, Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy, and changed the world. In honor of Marilyn's historic performance, LIFE Magazine has released several rarely seen images from that night at Madison Square Garden. To view the full gallery of images taken by photographer Bill Ray, click here.

On Exhibit: Photos by the Last Living Photographer of Norma Jeane

The Pictures that Started it All

Marilyn Monroe Exhibition Opens at the Andrew Weiss Gallery, Beverly Hills

94 year old Bill Carroll, the last living photographer of Norma Jeane, will be in attendance of the launch of a major photography exhibition-“Becoming Marilyn” at the Andrew Weiss Gallery June 17, 2010 to commemorate the 84th birthday of the timeless icon of glamour, Marilyn Monroe. The show will feature the world’s most in-depth collection of Marilyn Monroe photographs, including Bill Carroll’s rarely seen photos from 1945, to the very last pictures ever taken of her.

The photographic journey of Marilyn Monroe begins with those by Bill Carroll, who captured the image of a beautiful 19 year old girl, dreaming of stardom on a sunny beach in California. The pure innocence and simplicity in these portraits present us with an era long gone by. At 94 years old, Bill Carroll has waited 65 years to show them again. The exhibition will also include images by the man known to have made Marilyn famous, the legendary photographer of the stars, Bruno Bernard of Bernard of Hollywood™. His many photographs of Norma Jeane to Marilyn Monroe capture the dramatic metamorphosis of this aspiring model into the world’s most provocative legend.

In addition, the exhibit will present some of Marilyn Monroe’s most popular photo shoots, Bert Stern’s Last Sitting, George Barris’ Last Photos, Tom Kelley’s Red Velvet photos, as well as vintage photos by her personal confidant and business partner Milton Greene. Other early images of Marilyn as Norma Jeane by David Conover will also be on display. The exhibition opens to the public June 18, 2010 and will end September 18, 2010.

The Gallery is located at 179 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. Open Tues.-Sat.11:00 am-5:00pm or by appt. For more information call (310) 246-9333 or email info@andrewweiss.com.

Marilyn Monroe New York City Birthday Party, Friday June 4

Erno Laszlo is hosting a huge Marilyn Monroe birthday party on June 4 in New York. To learn more, visit: http://www.facebook.com/ernolaszlo?v=app_4949752878#!/event.php?eid=126705727341392&ref=mf

Marilyn Monroe in Mosaic Art

Marilyn Monroe was featured by SICIS, an Italian tile company, in one of their mosaic works of art. This image, taken at a party hosted by New York Magazine at the SICIS gallery in New York (one of Marilyn's favorite cities), shows a wall full of Marilyn Monroe artwork created by the company.

www.sicis.com
www.newyorkspacesmag.com
www.thearchivesstore.com
www.archiveimages.com

Coming Soon: The Limited Edition Marilyn Monroe Sweater by St. Croix

The high end men's clothier St. Croix (www.stcroixshop.com) has partnered with renowned artist and sculptor Ludvic (www.ludvic.com) to develop a limited edition Marilyn Monroe themed sweater.



I'm excited to announce that the sweater will be unveiled and seen in public for the first time at the grand opening of the new Marilyn Monroe exhibit at the Hollywood Museum "Marilyn Remembered: An Intimate Look at The Legend," on Saturday June 5. The official press release announcing the sweater is provided below:

Arizona Artist and Fashion House Collaborate
Marilyn Makes Her Debut

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — The artist, LUDVIC, and St. Croix Collections are pleased to announce their creative collaboration in creating a new limited edition sweater.

The sweater features one of Ludvic’s Marilyn Monroe paintings recreated in a stunning custom knitted sweater for men. The art sweater is created as a limited edition piece with only 300 pieces made. The first samples have been completed, and the final sweater will be available August 2010. Reserve orders of the art sweater can be placed through the St. Croix Shop in Newport Beach, California.

Ludvic’s large-scale paintings of Marilyn have been in the making for several years. His variations on the theme of Marilyn are endless through the use of color, texture and size. Ludvic experiments by using colors and patterns to create his portraits with an end result that is astounding to the viewer. As Ludvic says, he “paints people from the inside out.” The artist continues, “Many people ask why I have such a long-standing, ongoing encounter with Marilyn. To me she is the epitome of glamour and beauty combined with the charisma of a goddess and I try to capture that on canvas. I am particularly thrilled to see this Marilyn reproduced as a sweater from St. Croix. The result is incredible and the quality superb. It is really wearable art.”

The original oil painting of Marilyn was displayed at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel during the Academy Awards. Ludvic’s newest Marilyn limited edition prints are available through Exclusive Editions located at Fashion Square Mall, Scottsdale, Arizona.

St. Croix Collections is a luxury men's sportswear maker, now in its 50th year of creating knitwear of exceptional quality. St. Croix Collections are renown for their fashion and craftsmanship and have a long history of placement in high-end fashion retailers.

About the Artist:

Born in Egypt, LUDVIC has a BA in Architecture and studied art in Basel, Switzerland. In Europe, he apprenticed with renowned artists Karel Appel, Bram Bogart and Marino Marini. He worked at Andy Warhol’s “Factory” in the 1970’s. He later lived and worked in Canada, and moved to NYC in the mid-1980s, where he defined his style as an artist.

His paintings and sculptures have been shown in numerous museum exhibits and his work is collected internationally. www.Ludvic.com

About St. Croix Collections:

Now in its 50th year, Knitcraft Corporation — manufacturer of the exclusive St. Croix Collections and Ludvic’s Marilyn art sweater — has consistently created the highest quality men’s knitwear and outerwear in the world. In the years since its inception, the St. Croix label has grown to comprise a complete collection of the world’s finest knits, sport shirts, denim, trousers, outerwear, leathers and hosiery, available in premier specialty stores, including twelve independently owned St. Croix Shops across the United States.

St. Croix’s underlying philosophy has always been to offer the absolute best quality possible, with the perfection of the product being the ultimate goal. In the words of Knitcraft President and CEO, Bernhard Brenner, “You cannot, at any price, from any source in the world, buy a better sweater. You can only pay more.” This philosophy drives the innovation of designer knits as well as the development of exclusive construction methods.


###
Details:

Artist: LUDVIC www.ludvic.com

Gallery: Exclusive Editions International
Fashion Square Mall, Scottsdale, AZ
2nd level, across from Charlotte Russe
exclusiveeditionsintl.com --- 908-406-2452

Art Sweater: St. Croix Shop – Newport Beach
Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Dr., Suite #208
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Atrium Court
1-800-366-6964
newport@stcroixshop.com
www.stcroixshop.com

Contact: For additional information, contact Bruce Amster, Director of Stores
562-590-5520 or email: bruce@stcroixshop.com.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Two Marilyn Monroe Bio-Pics to Hit the Big Screen


The first film, My Week With Marilyn, is based on the book of the same name that chronicled Monroe's time in England in 1957 shooting The Prince and the Showgirl, which co-starred Laurence Olivier. The book was written by production assistant Colin Clark. This film will star Michelle Williams as Monroe. Scarlett Johansson was originally offered the part but she turned it down.

The other movie will be based on the novel Blonde, written by Joyce Carol Oates, and is referred to as "imaginary Marilyn Monroe memoir." Naomi Watts will play Monroe in this film.

Photo: (Left to Right): Naomi Watts, Marilyn Monroe, Michelle Williams.


Bonhams Auction: Highlighted Marilyn Monroe Items

Bonhams has some choice Marilyn Monroe items up for auction at their 2010 Entertainment Memorabilia auction, taking place on June 10 in Los Angeles. Some of the highlights are below. For a full listing, click here.

Lot No: 1001

A Marilyn Monroe side table from her Brentwood home, 1962
Made of walnut; rustic in style and naturally distressed; top is one single board, front has pull-out drawer with scalloped border; most likely one of the many pieces bought by the star down in Mexico to furnish her new house. Included is a vintage print black and white photograph showing the interior of MM's living room where this small table can be seen against the far wall with a lamp on it.
24 x 40 x 24in
Estimate: $5,000 - 5,500





















Lot No: 1002

A Marilyn Monroe signed black and white photograph, circa 1955
One of the star's most iconic headshots; penned in black ballpoint ink on the lower left side "To Al Mazzola / It's a pleasure to / work with you. / Marilyn Monroe."
10 x 8in

Estimate: $8,000 - 8,500

Footnote:
PROVENANCE:
This piece was consigned directly by actor Frank Mazzola whose dad, Al, was a key grip on one of MM's films where he had her sign this for him. Interestingly, around the same time, Frank Mazzola was over at Warner Bros. playing 'Crunch,' one of the gang members who give James Dean a hard time in the 1955 classic, "Rebel Without A Cause."














Lot No: 1003

A Marilyn Monroe set of serving trays, circa 1942
Identical except in size where one is smaller; both made of tin with a decorative edge; both engraved "NBJ" [Norma Jeane Baker] on the lower left side, though now very faint due to rust, wear, and age of trays; possibly given to Marilyn as an engagement gift (when her initials were still 'NJB') before she married James Dougherty.
17 x 25 x 1in and smaller

Estimate: $600 - 800

Footnote:
PROVENANCE:
This set (which used to include three trays) originally sold in the Christie's Los Angeles auction titled "Fine Manuscripts Including a Collection of Marilyn Monroe Memorabilia Sold to Benefit Hollygrove Children's Home;" Sale 9814, September 12, 2001, lot 134, page 73 of that catalogue; final hammer price was $800; original Christie's lot tags still included; Anna Strasberg [Lee Strasberg's widow] was the original consignor.













Lot No: 1005

A Marilyn Monroe-received letter from Pat Newcomb, circa 1960
Handwritten in blue ballpoint ink on 'The Arthur P. Jacobs Company, Inc.' letterhead; not dated; note reads in part "Dear Marilyn.../ Harrison Canall's office called to say that Joe / was in town & could verify it.../ I said I...didn't discuss your personal life in any case.../ You can tell Hedda you hear she's quite a / 'twister' and she'll do a monologue which will / completely take her away from anything else about you...;" signed in the lower right hand corner "Love, Pat" who seemed to be on top of things for MM.
11 x 8 1/2in

Estimate: $400 - 450














Lot No: 1009

A Marilyn Monroe group of receipts, 1958-1962
Six total; all note the star's name and/or address; including ones from: 1) Colonial Trust Company dated May 13, 1958; 2) Trans World Airlines dated June 14, 1961; 3) W&J Sloane [furniture store in Beverly Hills] dated May 6, 1962; 4) Southern Counties Gas Company date-stamped May 23, 1962; 5) Southern Counties Gas Company date-stamped June 21, 1962; and 6) Department of Water and Power date-stamped June 8, 1962 but interestingly having a postmark of "Jun 1 1962," MM's final birthday.
Various Sizes

Estimate: $400 - 425














Lot No: 1015

A Marilyn Monroe rare black and white photograph, circa 1951
A vintage print with a glossy finish depicting the star in a candid shot wearing a cocktail dress; possibly never before seen.
7 x 5in

Estimate: $50 - 75













Lot No: 1013

A Marilyn Monroe receipt from Dr. Ralph R. Greenson, 1962
Typed on personalized notepaper from the doctor's office; sent to MM's post office box in Los Angeles, she was billed "$1,250.00 for professional services" on "June 30, 1962;" a two-hole punch appears on top margin.
7 x 5 1/2in

Estimate: $300 - 350

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Marilyn Monroe Voted Sexiest Screen Star of All Time

Marilyn Monroe has been voted the sexiest screen star of all time. The results of a poll conducted by the Fox News Entertainment Blog show that Marilyn scored 15.6% of all votes, coming in at first place. Angelina Jolie took second place with 13.9%. Sophia Loren pulled a close third with 12% of the vote. For a full list with results, click here.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

FilmEngine to Probe Marilyn's death

Infused with new financing, production company FilmEngine is re-opening the investigation into Marilyn Monroe's death.

FilmEngine has optioned the life rights of Lionel Grandison, a deputy Los Angeles coroner who claims he was forced to falsify Monroe's death certificate to say it was a suicide rather than murder. Grandison also contends that he read Monroe's diary.

"Marilyn" will be penned by John Ryan Jr., a filmmaker-producer who is Anthony Rhulen's partner at FilmEngine.

Rhulen launched FilmEngine at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001 with William Shively and A.J. Dix. The latter two have since left and recently formed Tower Hill Entertainment.

The "Marilyn" project brings Grandison's story to the bigscreen for the first time. His involvement with Monroe's case has been mentioned in several books.

"After being forced to sign a falsified death certificate, he was threatened for years about what he knew. The threats only stopped recently," Rhulen said.

Grandison said he was given Monroe's diary in order to help find her next of kin. He was in possession of the diary for several days. Grandison is still alive, but the diary could not be found.

Rhulen, principal and CEO of FilmEngine, has recapitalized the company and is relaunching Film-Engine as a development, production and management entity.

"Concurrently, we're raising production funds for studio co-finance deals, as well as equity-backed independent projects," Rhulen said.

Rhulen said the new management division, led by Jake Wagner, will help build a talent base for Film Engine projects. Client roster already includes Todd Farmer ("My Bloody Valentine," "Drive Angry"), W. Peter Iliff ("Point Break," "Patriot Games") and Evan Daugherty.

Ryan joined FilmEngine in 2008 and is a partner and chief operating officer. He's also creative director and will write and produce for FilmEngine.

FilmEngine produced Johnny Depp starred "The Rum Diary," based on Hunter S. Thompson's novel. Past credits include "The Butterfly Effect" franchise and "Lucky Number Slevin."

"The main thing about FilmEngine is that we are artist-friendly. We also deliver," Rhulen said. "We want to tell unique stories."

Paradigm's indie division reps FilmEngine and has helped the production company in its recapitalization efforts.

Source: variety.com

Monday, May 10, 2010

Bonhams & Butterfields: Official Sponsor of "Marilyn Remembered: An Intimate Look at The Legend," the Summer Exhibit at The Hollywood Museum

I'm excited to announce that Bonhams & Butterfields, the exclusive auction house that has been in business since 1793, has signed on as an official sponsor of "Marilyn Remembered, An Intimate Look at The Legend," the summer exhibit at The Hollywood Museum. Items from the Marilyn Monroe Collection will be showcased in this exhibit.

The Los Angeles office of Bonhams will be hosting their summer entertainment memorabilia auction on Sunday, June 13, starting at 10:00 AM. To see their entire online catalog, which includes several choice Marilyn Monroe pieces, click here.

Bonhams is running this exclusive ad for the Marilyn Remembered exhibit in the catalog for this entertainment memorabilia sale.

About the Exhibit:

This exhibit will run June 1 thru August 31, 2010. Hundreds of personal and professional items from the life and career of Marilyn Monroe will be showcased at The Hollywood Museum, located in the historic Max Factor building in Hollywood, California.

The official exhibit opening is scheduled for Saturday, June 5 at 1:00.

The exhibit includes:

Photography: Original photographs of Marilyn Monroe taken by world famous photographers Andre DeDienes, George Barris and Milton Greene.

Original Artwork: Fantastic and brilliant original Marilyn Monroe artwork by renowned artist Ludvic. www.ludvic.com

Marilyn Monroe Property & Memorabilia: Over 200 items from six individual collectors will be on display, including selections from the Scott Fortner Collection and the Greg Schreiner Collection.

Items being seen in public for the first time ever:
  • Marilyn Monroe's personal shoes, worn when she married Joe DiMaggio and also when performing for the troops in Korea in 1954.
  • The vibrant green Pucci blouse that Marilyn was wearing when the last ever photos of her were taken less than a week before she died.
  • Marilyn's beaver fur coat, gifted to her by Arthur Miller.
Additional items from the exhibit include:

Costumes from many of Marilyn's films and gowns worn by Marilyn in numerous studio publicity photographs and publications. Clothing items from Marilyn Monroe's personal wardrobe and furs from her private collection, including the very first fur she ever owned. Marilyn Monroe's personal film scripts, along with personal accessories, household goods, makeup & cosmetics, books from her home library and furniture from her final residence in Brentwood, California. Numerous personal documents, bank statements and receipts, bills and invoices outlining in great detail the personal and very private life of Marilyn Monroe will also be on display, many for the first time.

To learn more about the exhibit, visit http://www.marilynmonroecollection.com.