Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday' Dress (1962)

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Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday" dress, designed by Jean Louis with a sketch by Bob Mackie, is an iconic piece of fashion history. Worn during President John F. Kennedy's 45th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden in 1962, the dress is a nude-colored, backless gown adorned with over 2,500 crystal rhinestones. It was crafted to perfectly match Monroe's skin tone, creating an illusion of being nude under the stage lights. Monroe was sewn into the dress due to its extremely tight fit. The dress became synonymous with Monroe's sultry performance of "Happy Birthday, Mr. President." It has been sold at auction multiple times, setting records for the most expensive dress sold. In 2016, it was purchased by Ripley's Believe It or Not for $4.8 million. The dress remains a cultural icon, symbolizing the glamour and allure of Marilyn Monroe's legacy. Its impact extends beyond fashion, representing a moment in American cultural history.