Marilyn Monroe, 50 years later

This weekend marks the 50^th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death, one of the 20^th century’s most celebrated beauty icons. Her blonde locks, her celebrated pout, her sultry bedroom eyes—and of course, her fragrance—are the stuff of legend. And endless imitation.

It was 1954 when Monroe famously quipped, “What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course.” Rumour has it that the star also added the Parisian perfume to her ice-water baths—so luxurious.

With Monroe’s sexy seal of approval, the legendary perfume, defined by its ylang-ylang, neroli, rose and jasmine notes, and sparkling aldehydes, became even more popular.

This photo, taken before the first performance of Tennesse Williams’ A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1955, captured Monroe in this now-famous perfume-loving moment.

Chanel No.5 Parfum, $117 (7.5 ml), www.chanel.com