Photographer Eve Arnold’s iconic images of Marilyn Monroe wearing Lee’s Storm Rider jacket on the set of her final film, “The Misfits,” continue to influence fashion 65 years later.
On Thursday, the heritage denim brand launched the Lee x Marilyn Monroe Collection, a limited-edition capsule celebrating the Hollywood star’s enduring legacy and the photographs that helped catapult denim in women’s wardrobes.
“For a century, Marilyn Monroe’s influence has shaped film, fashion, and pop culture,” said Dana Carpenter, EVP of entertainment at Authentic Brands Group, the owner of the Marilyn Monroe estate. “The Lee x Marilyn Monroe collection thoughtfully celebrates her enduring style through iconic archival inspiration while introducing these timeless designs to a new generation of fans.”
Authentic Brands Group signed a definitive agreement to acquire Lee from Kontoor Brands in May. The collection was created to honor Monroe’s 100th birthday. Guess, Hyer sustainable jewelry brand Aurate and eyewear brand Dita have also released centennial collections.
Lee said the capsule “honors a shared legacy rooted in authenticity, individuality, and timeless style, celebrating the confidence, glamour, and grit that defined Monroe and continues to inspire the Lee woman today.”
The Storm Rider Jacket is the collection’s hero. The jacket has the same fit and details as the version Monroe wore and includes a blanket lining in an exclusive Marilyn Monroe palette, a custom Storm Rider label and hidden red lip embroidery.
A Boyfriend Button-Down Shirt with tonal lip embroidery on the cuff nods to the actress’ timeless look of a white shirt and jeans. The Marilyn Jean has a retro high-rise waist with back darts for shaping. It comes cuffed at the hem, like Monroe wore, or can be uncuffed for extra length.
The collection also includes the Coatigan, a belted cardigan inspired by the sweater Monroe wore in her final photoshoot, and a Halter Dress modeled after her famous scene in “The Seven Year Itch.” The dress is available in lightweight blue and black denim.
An assortment of loose-fit tees and sweatshirts featuring Arnold’s famous photos round out the collection.
“The photos of Marilyn in the Storm Rider jacket have inspired Lee for decades. Her natural beauty and strength shine through as does the timelessness of denim,” said Vivian Rivetti, VP of global design, Lee. “Our goal for this collection and campaign was to capture the essence of Marilyn’s aesthetic and the styles she made famous through a modern Lee lens. It’s a reimagining, not a replication and it will excite our consumers and her fans around the world.”
The Lee x Marilyn Monroe collection is available globally on Lee’s owned website and retail locations in U.S., Mexico, Europe, Japan, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Ecuador. Select pieces are also sold on Nordstrom.com, Amazon and Walmart.com and select retailers in the U.S. and Europe. The collection retails for $47.99-$187.99
