Lee x Marilyn Monroe: The Icon, the Collection, the Legacy
To mark Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday, Lee is honouring her fearless spirit, iconic style and unmistakable confidence with the Lee x Marilyn Monroe collection. Centred on the Lee Storm Rider jacket she wore in her final film and Eve Arnold's photographs, the collection reinterprets the looks that made her unforgettable, both on-screen and off. This guide explores why the collaboration came together, what inspired it, the pieces it includes and how the collection shows that icons are made to last. Then. Now. Always.
Why Has This Collaboration Been 100 Years in the Making?
Denim heritage, authenticity and enduring style: Marilyn Monroe and Lee have long had more in common than a single photograph. Now, as her 100th birthday is celebrated, the two global icons have come together once more. Photographed by Eve Arnold in the Lee Storm Rider jacket while filming her final movie, Marilyn did not simply wear denim. She made it her own. A century in the making, this collection invites you to do the same.
What Is the Inspiration Behind the Lee x Marilyn Monroe Collection?
The collection takes inspiration from two sides of Marilyn: the woman followed by the cameras and the woman captured when she thought no one was watching.
- On-screen looks: The Storm Rider jacket she wore on the set of her final film anchors the collection's hero piece, a silhouette preserved in flashbulbs and film reels.
- Off-screen looks: Eve Arnold's candid photography captured Marilyn between takes in jeans, a white top and just a pop of red for polish. This behind-the-scenes side of Marilyn shaped the collection's more relaxed pieces.
On set and away from the cameras, Marilyn made simple pieces iconic because she was. The collection reflects her inextinguishable spark through a modern lens: confident, feminine, resilient and timeless.
Which Pieces Are Included in the Collection?
Made to be loved. The collection brings together the famous Storm Rider jacket, a coatigan, dresses, women's jeans and tops. Signature lip embroidery, custom trims and labels, and archival photography carry Marilyn's story throughout.
The Storm Rider Jacket
The Storm Rider™ jacket that began the story is reimagined for her centenary and immortalised in Eve Arnold's iconic photographs from the star's final film. It retains its relaxed fit, dropped shoulder and classic corduroy collar, with an update Marilyn would have approved of: four pockets in place of two. The blanket lining comes in an exclusive colour palette, finished with a custom Storm Rider and peach riser label, plus a red lip kiss embroidered on the inner left cuff for the occasion.
The Boyfriend Shirt
The shirt Marilyn made her own. Cut from 100% cotton in an easy, relaxed fit, this wardrobe staple buttons to the collar for an off-duty look or ties at the waist, just as she wore it. A tonal lip kiss on the cuff and dual-branded embroidery at the hip complete the piece, ready to be loved by you.
The Coatigan
Relaxed, chic and unmistakably Marilyn, this oversized Turtledove Heather coatigan takes its cue from a piece she wore in her final photo shoot. The extra-soft fabric offers effortless warmth, finished with exclusive trims, a knitted tie belt and hand-warming front pockets.
“The Marilyn” High-Rise Jean
This retro-fit straight leg sits high on the waist, with back darts for shaping, an exclusive ‘The Marilyn’ interior label and custom trims throughout. Wear it cuffed at the hem as she did, or uncuffed for a little extra length. Sealed with a kiss, a red lip embroidery is hidden inside the waistband for your eyes only.
The Halter-Neck Dress
The dress that once stopped the world is ready to do it again. Inspired by one of Marilyn's most famous film scenes, this halter-neck dress ties at the neck, is smocked at the back for shape and draws in at the waist, with pockets bringing a practical touch to the glamour. Soft, flowing fabric moves with you, while tonal lip embroidery completes this fresh take on an unforgettable moment.
Tees and Sweatshirts
A red-striped baby tee references one of Marilyn's earliest looks, while the relaxed-fit graphic tees and oversized sweatshirts turn to something quieter: Eve Arnold's candid photography of Marilyn between takes, off the clock and unposed.
Are These Pieces Limited Edition?
Yes. This limited-edition capsule celebrates one of Hollywood's most enduring icons. Created in honour of Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday and available to fans around the world from 20 August 2026, the collection revisits some of her most recognisable looks. It is more than a seasonal drop: it is a collectable moment built on decades of shared heritage and a story worth telling again.
The collection launches in the UK on 20 August 2026 and is available through the Lee UK site. It is a women's collection, with bottoms in waist sizes 24 to 34 and tops and dresses in sizes XS to XL.
How Does the Collection Bring Marilyn's Style into the Present?
Marilyn could turn a plain white shirt into a headline and a denim jacket into a movie still, with the same piece working just as hard on set as it did off. That is the spirit this collection captures: vintage-inspired silhouettes meet contemporary comfort and can be dressed up or down. Bringing together grit, glamour and effortless confidence, the collection invites us all to take a cue from Marilyn and own our style in a way that is entirely our own. Then. Now. Always.
Marilyn Monroe: A Timeline
- 1926: Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in Los Angeles
- 1940s: Begins modelling and signs her early studio contracts
- 1950s: Becomes a global film icon and wins a Golden Globe
- 1961: Films her final movie and is photographed by Eve Arnold wearing the Lee Storm Rider jacket on set
- 1962: Passes away
- 2026: Her 100th birthday is celebrated through global collaborations, including the Lee x Marilyn Monroe collection, launching on 20 August
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lee x Marilyn Monroe Collection
Why is Marilyn Monroe still influential in fashion today?
Her style combined simplicity with effortless confidence: jeans, a white top and one statement piece. It is a formula that still resonates today, and she remains a muse a century after her birth.
Did Marilyn Monroe actually wear Lee denim?
Yes. Lee's Storm Rider jacket appeared on the set of her final film and was photographed by Eve Arnold, providing direct inspiration for this collection.
What makes the Lee x Marilyn Monroe collection unique?
It draws directly on Eve Arnold's archival photography, with signature red lip embroidery running through the collection as a nod to Marilyn herself.
Are the pieces designed for everyday wear?
Yes. The collection updates vintage-inspired silhouettes with contemporary fit and comfort, so the pieces can be dressed up or down with ease.
Where can I buy the Lee x Marilyn Monroe collection in the UK?
The collection launches in the UK on 20 August 2026 and is available through the Lee UK site.
How can you style Marilyn-inspired denim today?
Keep it simple: pair the Storm Rider jacket or ‘The Marilyn’ jean with a plain white top and one statement detail, following the formula Marilyn wore so well.
Explore the Lee x Marilyn Monroe collection, or shop Lee denim to discover more iconic styles.
