Marilyn Monroe’s white dress scene filmed in New York City

On September 15, 1954, Marilyn Monroe filmed what would become one of the most iconic moments in movie history. The scene, shot for The Seven Year Itch, shows Monroe standing over a subway grate as a gust of air lifts her white pleated dress. It was filmed in Manhattan, drawing large crowds of spectators and photographers. The playful, flirty image quickly became a symbol of Monroe’s star power and Hollywood’s ability to create lasting cultural icons. Though Monroe’s then-husband Joe DiMaggio reportedly disliked the scene, it cemented her legacy as one of the most recognizable actresses of all time. The image of her white dress blowing in the air has been reproduced endlessly in posters, statues, and pop culture references, representing both the height of Monroe’s fame and the challenges she faced as a woman under the constant gaze of the public eye. Today, the “subway dress” moment remains a defining symbol of Monroe’s career and the allure of 1950s Hollywood glamour.