Marilyn Monroe’s centenary has proven that the fascination with the icon shows no signs of fading. The line-up of accolades, celebrations and commemorative releases includes museum retrospectives, auctions, books and a lookalike contest, among other events. Monroe would have turned 100 on June 1, 2026.

A Rare Showing Of Monroe’s Famed Pink Dress

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon, is on view from May 31 to February 28, 2027. The exhibit includes hundreds of original objects. The short list: letters, documents, posters and personal materials.

What’s perhaps most impressive is the assembly of Monroe’s film costumes. They include a dress from Love Happy (1949), two Orry-Kelly-designed dresses from Some Like It Hot (1959), garments from her final and unfinished film, Something’s Got to Give (1962) and the rarely exhibited highlight: the famous pink dress from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953).

The floor-length pink dress with a waist bow and matching opera-length gloves was designed by Bill Travilla, who was nominated for numerous Academy Awards; he won an Oscar for his work on “The Adventures of Don Juan” (1948), starring Errol Flynn. Monroe wore the dress while singing, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.”

A Marilyn Monroe Lookalike Contest

Close copies of Monroe’s dresses will be in abundance on May 30 at a Marilyn Monroe lookalike contest, held in Palm Springs in conjunction with Palm Springs Pride. The contest aims for the largest gathering of Monroe doubles, or as close as contestants can achieve. The event launches at 3 p.m. with live entertainment, food and beverages; a certification ceremony is from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

The event is held around the “Forever Marilyn” statue in Downtown Park. The 26-foot-tall statue of Monroe, made of stainless steel and aluminum, was created by artist Seward Johnson. It depicts Monroe in her famous pose over a subway grate on Lexington Avenue in New York City, the skirt of her white halter-neck dress billowing up around her waist. The scene is from Billy Wilder’s 1955 comedy, The Seven Year Itch.

Monroe Auctions Include Cosmetics And Watercolor Paintings

Several auctions of Monroe’s personal effects are being held in conjunction with the centenary. Organized by Heritage Auctions, “Marilyn Monroe, Unfiltered” takes place on June 1 in Dallas, Texas. Included in the lots are the star’s acting notes, intimate letters, triple-hoop earrings, a personal book of contacts, watercolor paintings and other personal effects. The items are from the estate of writer Norman Rosten (1913-1995) and his wife Hedda, who were Monroe’s close friends.

Julien’s auction house will hold a Monroe auction on June 4, billed as “100 Years of Marilyn.” The lots include a 1946 make-up chart with a current bid of $700; the actress’ 1962 lip pomade jar by Max Factor with a current bid of $4,000; and her 1950s tube of lipstick by Elizabeth Arden, already attracting competitive bidding at $5,000.

Other Monroe cosmetics up for bid: a jar of rouge, an eyeliner pencil and a tube of mascara.

Clothing is included in the lots—an evening gown, a blouse, a brassiere and a 1950s minaudière evening purse. More common items include kitchenware, hand weights, a sofa, a trinket box, and a wine caddy. Among the larger items are the front gates from her 1929 Brentwood, Los Angeles home at Fifth Helena Drive, with a current bid of $15,000.

Among new books about the star is Marilyn Monroe 100: The Official Centenary Book, approved by Marilyn Monroe’s estate and published by ACC Art Books. The oversize 348-page volume contains “the most complete collection of photos from the seventeen photographers who documented her life and career from 1945 to 1962,” according to the ACC Art Books’ website. The photos are paired with quotes from the star.