From Pretty Woman and Atonement to The Seven Year Itch, the most unforgettable dresses of all time
From yard upon yard of blood-red silk silk to strategically placed gold safety-pins, there are some dresses that capture a timeless place in fashion consciousness.
Burned into the collective memory, these dresses are the essences of feminine design, creative genius and natural beauty – brought alive, each and every time, by the piece de resistance – the woman wearing them.
Now, some of the world”s favourite, most memorable dresses, have been collected into one fashion lover”s bible, 100 Unforgettable Dresses, by fashion editor Hal Rubenstein.
Transformation: Marilyn Vance-Straker”s stunning red gown for Julia Roberts” 1990 hit movie, Pretty Woman
Calling upon his not inconsiderable expertise in the industry, Mr Rubenstein, fashion director of InStyle magazine, has chosen a wealth of gowns that encapsulate the last nine decades.
Dipping into Hollywood blockbusters, defining Silver Screen moments, red-carpet sashays and even TV sitcoms, he proves that there are some frocks that have serious staying power when it comes to fantasy and design.
Happy Birthday: Marilyn Monroe looked as if she was coated in sparkles when she sang to the President in 1962, and in the Travilla gown for the now-iconic Seven Year Itch marketing shot
The Hollywood rags-to-riches fairytale, Pretty Woman, is perhaps captured best by one dress – the bright red show-stopping gown by Marilyn Vance-Straker, that signals the completion of Julia Roberts” Vivian”s transformation from streetwalker to head-turning sophisticate.
The power of that stunning wardrobe choice is part-and-parcel of the story – its classic elegance comes alive in its role in the 1990 box office hit.
Royal weddings: The Duchess of Cambridge in her Alexander McQueen gown earlier this year, and Princess Diana in her 1981 Elizabeth Emanuel gown
Marilyn Monroe”s 1962 “happy birthday” gown, by Jean Louis, a flesh-coloured souffl mesh that was embellished with 2,500 sequins and beads that made her look like she was”coated in nothing but glitter” could not have been omitted from the tome.
There are, of course, the classics – from the second most marketed screen image of all time, Marilyn Monroe”s white, blowing William Travilla Seven Year Itch dress to Coco Chanel”s original little black dress.
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