Hef and Marilyn: Julien's Auctions brings together 20th Century icons in one-of-a-kind exhibition

Julien's highly anticipated three-day auction event taking place from March 28th-30th in Los Angeles.

PUBLISHED JAN 28, 2024

Hugh Hefner (left) and Marilyn Monroe are the subjects of Julien's Auctions highly-anticipated exhibition.

Hong Kong, China (Release): Julien's Auctions opened its exhibition 'Icons: Playboy, Hugh Hefner, and Marilyn Monroe', in Hong Kong offering a preview into Julien's highly anticipated three-day auction event taking place from March 28th-30th in Los Angeles.

(Fom left to right): Four dresses worn by Monroe, a Mae West-inspired black and cellophane effect evening gown designed by costume designer William Travilla, worn by Monroe during the filming of her classic 1955 film The Seven Year Itch (estimate: $100,000-$200,000); Jean-Louis painted cream/beige silk jersey cocktail dress worn by Monroe for 1960 The Misfits cast press conference; costume worn by Monroe as Lillian Russell for a pictorial feature in the December 22, 1958 issue of Life magazine, photographed by Richard Avedon (estimate: $20,000-$30,000) and her pink Pucci silk jersey dress (estimate: $40,000 - $60,000).

Julien's Auctions brought these highlights together for a one-of-a-kind exhibition, where Hollywood aficionados and collectors alike can be transported to Hollywood’s golden era, where Monroe’s classic melodies waft through décor inspired by the glamour of its time. Meticulously curated exhibits offer an intimate glimpse into the lives of these two cultural icons, particularly in the 1950s and early 1960s during the height of their fame and influence on American pop culture. The public is invited to fully immerse themselves in the sophistication, provocation, and trendsetting elegance that defined this extraordinary bygone era.

Hugh Hefner’s iconic smoking jacket, silk pajamas, slippers (estimate: $4,000-$6,000) Playboy 25th anniversary pink bomber jacket & plaque (estimate: $800-$1,200);

Highlighted items on display include: Monroe’s 'Seven-Year Itch' gown and a pink Pucci dress owned and worn by her, handwritten notes and annotated scripts, and a striking red and white polka dot umbrella from Monroe’s 1949 photo-shoot. Other notable highlights are Hugh Hefner's classic smoking jacket and silk pajamas, World War II era army uniform, an original Andy Warhol 'Playboy Bunny' silkscreen, and a selection of LeRoy Neiman and Alberto Vargas drawings from Playboy Enterprises, among others.

A striking red and white polka dot umbrella (photo below) from Monroe’s 1949 photo-shoot.

Both born in 1926, Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner gained worldwide fame together when Marilyn appeared in Hefner's inaugural 1953 issue of Playboy. The magazine's cover image and centerfold featuring Marilyn launched the success of Hefner's groundbreaking men's lifestyle magazine, which the publisher transformed into an iconic global brand. Marilyn's appearance in Playboy instantly made her a household name and an enduring sex symbol and modern feminist icon.

Andy Warhol original “Playboy Bunny” silkscreen

Although these two figures never intersected in reality, their legacies are inextricably linked. Both were influential symbols of the sexual revolution, and their personalities and portrayals has had a profound impact on society and the cultural landscape until today. In 1992, Hugh Hefner purchased the tomb next to Marilyn Monroe's resting place at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Lo s Angeles, where he was laid to rest in 2017.