Lee unveils Marilyn Monroe capsule to mark her 100th birthday

Lee is marking Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday with a global, limited-edition capsule that reimagines some of the Hollywood icon’s most recognizable on- and off-screen looks. The Lee x Marilyn Monroe collection draws directly from archival images of Monroe wearing Lee’s Storm Rider jacket, photographed by Eve Arnold on the set of her final film, “The Misfits,” and translates those references into a modern denim and ready-to-wear lineup.

“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. 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,” said Vivian Rivetti, vice president of global design at Lee, in a statement.

The capsule’s hero piece is a limited-edition Storm Rider jacket that mirrors the fit and details of Lee’s iconic version, updated with a blanket lining in an exclusive Marilyn Monroe palette, a custom Storm Rider label and hidden red lip embroidery. Beyond the jacket, the range includes the Marilyn Jean, a high-rise, straight-leg style with back darts and a red lip embroidery detail at the inside waistband; plus a boyfriend button-down shirt with tonal lip embroidery; a cozy “Coatigan” inspired by Monroe’s final photoshoot sweater; a halter dress referencing one of her famous movie scenes; and a selection of tees and sweatshirts featuring Eve Arnold imagery.

Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson in June 1926, remains one of the most influential pop culture icons of the 20th century, known for films such as “Some Like It Hot,” “The Seven Year Itch” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”

“For a century, Marilyn Monroe’s influence has shaped film, fashion, and pop culture,” said Dana Carpenter, executive vice president of entertainment at Authentic Brands Group, which owns 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.”

The collection is priced from 47.99 to 187.99 dollars and is available globally on Lee’s own websites and stores in the U.S., Mexico, Europe, Japan, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Ecuador, as well as at select boutiques and retailers.