When the name of the famous American actress Marilyn Monroe is mentioned, her iconic image of wearing a white dress, billowing in the air while standing over a New York subway grate, immediately comes to mind. This moment is described by many as the greatest embodiment of beauty and allure simultaneously and is considered one of the most famous images of the twentieth century.

This photograph, which caused a huge sensation and is recorded as one of the most iconic images of the twentieth century, was taken by chance and was not planned. It was captured in September 1954 during the filming of a scene from “The Seven Year Itch,” in which Marilyn Monroe starred. The scene, as planned by director Billy Wilder, was for Marilyn to walk in that white dress alongside actor Tom Ewell. As they walked, the sound of a passing subway train was meant to prompt Marilyn to say, “Oh… do you feel the breeze from the subway?” However, the wind blew more forcefully than expected, lifting her dress in the manner seen in the photograph while she laughed and attempted to pull it down.

The unexpected moment drew the attention of fans who had gathered to watch the filming, including photographers from various news agencies, who seized the opportunity to capture and publish the image in newspapers. This created a significant buzz, positively contributing to the film’s promotion and its star. The image was praised as one of the most wonderful and spontaneous events in Hollywood. Despite its positive impact, there was a downside: the dress played a role in Marilyn’s divorce from her second husband, Joe DiMaggio, who detested the photograph and the dress, which caused him significant embarrassment. This led to a heated argument between the couple and their eventual divorce, making DiMaggio the only person in the world who criticized and disliked the image.

As the years passed, the photograph and the dress retained their charm even after Marilyn’s death. Designer William Travilla kept the dress along with other costumes, which were later exhibited at the Hollywood Motion Picture Museum. The collection was eventually sold at auction, with Monroe’s dress fetching five million dollars, despite its estimated value being between one and two million.

Some say the success of the image lies in its spontaneity and Marilyn’s natural reaction. Their proof is that many actresses have tried to recreate the moment and photograph themselves in the same pose, even at the same location, which has also become famous, but none have succeeded like her.