Iconic Dresses Fetch Record Prices at Auctions

June 1, 2024 in Fashion & Style by Charlotte Sinclair

Marilyn Monroe's white dress from "The Seven Year Itch"

The world of vintage fashion continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors, with auction prices for iconic dresses reaching new heights.

Marilyn Monroe wore while singing "Happy Birthday, Mr. President"

Here's a look at some of the most memorable and expensive dresses ever sold at auction:

$5,658,000 for Marilyn Monroe's white dress from "The Seven Year Itch" (1955), designed by William Travilla. This dress, famous for its scene where Monroe stands over a subway grate, remains one of the most iconic pieces of Hollywood memorabilia.
$4,800,000 for the dress Marilyn Monroe wore while singing "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" in 1962, designed by Jean Louis. This sparkling, form-fitting gown is etched in the annals of fashion history.
$4,500,000 for Cecil Beaton's dress for Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady" (1964). Hepburn's transformation in the film is immortalized in this elegant gown, a testament to Beaton's genius.
$1,565,000 for Judy Garland's Dorothy dress from "The Wizard of Oz" (1939), designed by Adrian. This blue and white gingham dress is a nostalgic reminder of Garland's timeless portrayal of Dorothy.
$1,148,080 for a dress worn by Princess Diana, designed by Jacques Azagury in the 1980s. Diana's impeccable style and influence are reflected in the value of this exquisite piece.
$807,000 for Audrey Hepburn's dress from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1962), designed by Hubert de Givenchy. The little black dress remains a symbol of elegance and sophistication.
$620,000 for the dress Princess Diana wore on the cover of Vanity Fair in 1987, designed by Victor Edelstein. Diana's iconic fashion sense continues to inspire and enchant.
$290,000 for the dress Princess Diana danced in with John Travolta at the White House in 1985, also designed by Victor Edelstein. This gown symbolizes a memorable moment in royal and Hollywood history.
$135,000 for Grace Kelly's green dress by Givenchy, worn at a dinner with President Kennedy in 1961. Kelly's timeless grace and elegance are perfectly captured in this beautiful piece.

These astonishing prices reflect not only the historical and cultural significance of these dresses but also the enduring legacy of the fashion icons who wore them. Collectors and fans alike continue to celebrate and preserve these pieces of sartorial history.