Marilyn Merlot Velvet Collection Magnum 2004

A chance meeting in Hollywood between photographer Tom Kelley and an aspiring but unknown actress led to a two-hour photo session on May 27, 1949 that made history and established Marilyn Monroe as the ultimate sex symbol of the 20th century. The ten stunningly beautiful photographs from the historic session became known as the "Red Velvet" series, each one a portrait of Marilyn Monroe posing on a red velvet drape.