January 2015 Auction Ends Thursday, January 29th, 5pm Pacific

Marlene Dietrich Personally Owned Men's Tuxedo -- Quintessential Dietrich

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/29/2015

Marlene Dietrich's own men's tuxedo. Dietrich's signature androgynous look began onscreen with the taboo-crushing scene in her first American movie, ''Morocco,'' in which she dons a tux and kisses a woman. Off-screen she perpetuated the androgynous image the scene created, often dressing in men's clothes. This ensemble dates to the 1970's-80's, during which she performed in tuxes in Las Vegas. Lot includes a navy blue double-breasted dinner jacket with black silk lapels, matching trousers and bowtie. Dietrich's daughter Maria Riva quotes Dietrich, who said the following about the scene from ''Morocco'', ''...The best part of Morocco is when I am in my own tails...The audience, of course, is expecting the legs - so you see her in trousers first!...You know for some reason Garbo looks terrible in men's clothes - which is strange, because everyone says she's one of 'the girls'. You know what I do in the tails? I go over to a pretty woman at a table and kiss her - on the mouth - then I take the gardenia she is wearing put in under my nose and inhale it...Then I flick the flower to [Gary] Cooper. The audiences go wild. Can you imagine if even Americans get that scene, What will happen once the film opens in Europe?...'' Jacket measures 20'' across the chest. Pleated trousers measure 28.5'' at the waist with a 28.5'' inseam. Alterations have been made to jacket and trousers. Pants are missing a button and hem has been taken out. Some minor wear to fabric. Very good condition. From the estate of Marlene Dietrich.