A harem costume worn by Marilyn Monroe for a 1958 photoshoot with Richard Avedon. Avedon dressed Monroe as five of Hollywood’s famed leading ladies. In this costume, Monroe dressed as Theda Bara in her role as Cleopatra. It is purported that this was part of Monroe’s campaign to play the role of the Egyptian queen in the film Cleopatra that eventually starred Elizabeth Taylor. The costume is comprised of a goldtone brassiere with snake motif cups, prong set costume gems and metal ring straps, and a skirt created by a series of scarves affixed to a gold lame bikini bottom. The accessories include a serpentine headdress with goldtone linked rings at each side, three pressed metal wristbands and armbands with arabesque designs, and a belt designed to be worn at the hip with goldtone bead, gen and paillette embellishments. Accompanied by one scarfnot affixed to skirt.