Hong Kong-based A Bathing Ape has revealed a new t-shirt capsule featuring photographs of onscreen legend Marilyn Monroe. The collection includes six different t-shirts, each of which is offered in either black and white and feature various photograph of Monroe with the label’s signature ape head and camouflage motifs. One of the shirts is printed with Monroe’s autograph.
Press announcing the effort reads, “Marilyn Monroe, born on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California, United States, is Hollywood’s most popular actress and model, with leading roles in the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch and 1959’s Some Like It Hot. Known as a sex symbol, her unique blend of beauty and innocence captivated audiences around the world. She is considered the most photographed woman of the 20th century time and her influence has not faded, more than half a century later.”
The collaborative effort with Monroe’s estate includes a montage of one her most famous set of photographs, multiple shot of her in a white skirt that is flying upward thanks to a gust of subway air. The image was shot by Sam Shaw in 1954 during filming of The Seven Year Itch on Lexington Avenue between 52nd and 53rd Street in New York.
The BAPE capsule also includes a Milton Green shot portrait of Monroe whose face is overlaid with the brand’s pink camo graphic.
Monroe died at the age of 36 in 1962 from a barbiturate overdose. Following her death, there have been extensive legal battles over ownership of her name, image and likeness.
According to BAPE press, Monroe’s images were procured through Authentic Brands Group, which purchased the intellectual property of Marilyn Monroe LLC in 2011 from Anna Strasberg, wife of the late Lee Strasberg. In her final will, Monroe left all her clothes and personal effects to Strasberg, who was her friend and mentor.
A Bathing Ape’s first ever collaboration with Marilyn Monroe will be available at BAPE’s U.S. stores and us.bape.com on August 29, 2020.
Check out all six BAPE x Monroe t-shirts included in the capsule below.
