Sophie Dahl Channels Marilyn Monroe for Harper's Bazaar UK July/August 2026

The famous American actress Marilyn Monroe was born June 1, 1926 as Norma Jeane Mortenson. She was 64 years shy of celebrating this 100-year milestone. An enormously complex woman with an equally complex life, Monroe’s life story is a rich one — full of learnings about life and human relationships.

This Marilyn story serves as an advertorial for a collection of beauty products launched by Lisa Eldridge [IG] in collaboration with the estate of Marilyn Monroe.

In these images Sophie Dahl channels Marilyn Monroe in Amagansett in the summer of 1957. Located between South Hampton and East Hampton, the location inspired photographer Sam Shaw to take some of the most relaxed and natural images of Marilyn ever recorded.

Dahl is styled by Miranda Almond in images by Agata Pospieszynska [IG] for Harper’s Bazaar UK [IG] July-August 2026 ./ Hair by Sam McKnight; makeup by Lisa Eldridge

Marilyn’s Deepest Desire

Monroe embodied the glamour and Golden Age of Hollywood, a stereotype on full display in films like ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ or ‘Some Like It Hot’.

Anne of Carversville has always tried to be sensitive to one of Marilyn’s deepest desires, to be taken seriously as an intellectual person. This desire was a source of ridicule by men who found the vision of Marilyn Monroe as an intellectual to be absurd. Marilyn was aware of the ridicule and it pained her deeply.

Marilyn’s Intellectual Refuge

Milton and Amy Greene: Her thirst for learning and self-education was a lifetime endeavor and priority nurtured by people like Milton Greene and his wife Amy. Together, Monroe and the Greenes formed ‘Marilyn Monroe Productions’ to give her artistic autonomy.

Lee and Paula Strasberg: Marilyn moved to New York City to study at The Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg. Together with his wife Paula, the Strasbergs supported Marilyn’s desire for self-enrichment and worked with her to create reading lists and topics they discussed with her over dinner or extended stays in their intellectual orbit and the nurturing harmony of their home.

Monroe’s Summer of 1957

Monroe had multiple husbands, and in the summer of 1957 the star and playwright Arthur Miller headed for the Stony Hill Farm in Amagansett as newlyweds [summer 1956]. The paparazzi were as ruthless in tracking the couple as they are today. Seeking cover and privacy, the pair stayed at a second location on nearby Quail Hill. It was an old windmill invisible from the road, a structure that provided total privacy in the modest but charming residence.

These were glorious days for Marilyn but they did not last. Miller came to hurt her deeply where she was most vulnerable.

As Sophie Dahl appears in these photos, she captures Marilyn as she appeared playful and light-hearted in the 1957 Sam Shaw photos.

The last photos of the “blonde Hollywood bombshell” were taken on the Santa Monica beach in July 1962 by George Barris.

Marilyn is blowing an affectionate kiss into the camera lens. A few weeks later, on August 5, 1962, Marilyn Monroe would be found dead in her LA home at the age of 36.

Kate Moss As Marilyn Monroe

Kate Moss As Marilyn Monroe, Lensed by Nick Knight for EE72 Magazine SS-2026 AOC Fashion

Supermodel Kate Moss is styled by Eniola Dare in striking images of Kate as cinema legend Marilyn Monroe. Top photographer Nick Knight [IG] brings Marilyn to life for EE72 [IG] Magazine Spring 2026 issue, a project for 72 Magazine. Creative direction by Lee Swillingham and Stuart Spalding./ Hair by Sam McKnight; makeup by Val Garland; set design by Andrew Tomlinson