A three-piece ensemble custom-made for Marilyn Monroe to wear in the musical There's No Business Like Show Business (Twentieth Century Fox, 1954) consisting of a bathing suit made of black silk with “applied” black polka dots, spaghetti straps ending in two large bows, attached front rounded “stomach flap,” back zip-up closure, separate self-belt, lined with support boning and nude-colored netting, label reads “1-18-3-122/ A729-41/ M. Monroe,” in fragile condition now with areas of evident repair work; a coordinating large wrap, white cotton with the same “applied” black polka dots as suit, trimmed in a wide panel of rose-colored cotton on one end and light blue cotton on the other; and a bathing cap with a petal-like hem adorned with white sequins and silver-colored bugle beads, label reads “1-25-4-4691/ A729-29/ M. Monroe.”

Made for Monroe to wear in her portrayal of Vicky Parker and designed by Academy Award-winning costumier William Travilla, this outfit is quite similar to others the star wears throughout the film, though it is not seen in the final cut; however, it is evident it was made for the same production due to its style and construction. Sir Elton John donated this piece to a charity auction in 1990.

PROVENANCE Lot 104, Christie's, South Kensington, Sale 4259, April 25, 1991