Norma Jeane Baker A.K.A. Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962) was an American actress, singer, model, sex symbol, muse and fashion icon. Rising from pin-up girl to international superstar. She studied at the Actors Studio. She formed Marilyn Monroe Productions and won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Some Like it Hot.

In February 1953, Marilyn was named  “The Most Advertised Girl in the World”. In 1999, she was voted the ‘Sexiest Woman of the Century’ by People Magazine and named the number One Sex Star of the 20th Century by Playboy magazine. She was the inspiration behind Elton John’s “Like a candle in the wind” and was a muse to artists like Andy Warhol, who created a series of screen print portraits of her.

William Travilla dressed Monroefor eight of her films and for many special events. This included the 1953 Photoplay awards, which she was publicly criticized for, for wearing a skin-tight gold lamé dress.

On May 19, 1962, Monroe made her last significant public appearance, singing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” at a birthday party for President John F. Kennedy. She wore a dress specially designed and made for her by Jean Louis.

More than 45 years after her death, she is still inspiring the art and fashion world. For example: Dolce & Gabbana used images of Marilyn Monroe in their fall/winter 2009 Ready-to-Wear collection.

…and she also mused artist Bryan Snyder to do this recent street art installation project, The Carlsbad Temptress, below. To see more projects like this and other films by Snyder, click here.