MEN wanted her, women wanted to be her. The camera, the president and the public adored her. Everyone loved, and still love, the iconic beauty that was Marilyn Monroe.

Despite being idolised by millions, Marilyn always felt like an outsider. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in June 1926 to a mentally unstable mother and an unknown father, Norma had a rocky start. Norma was tossed between her mother and foster homes, resulting in an unhappy childhood and reports of sexual abuse, isolation and a kidnapping attempt made by her own mother. She longed to belong.

It was during her first marriage to James Dougherty that her beauty was discovered. After being snapped by an Army photographer whilst working in a munitions factory, she was encouraged to join the Blue Book Modelling Agency, where she first bleached her hair from brunette to blonde. After being spotted by an executive of 20th Century Fox, and a successful screen test, Norma was given a film contract. Here she acquired the stage name Marilyn Monroe, which Marilyn herself didn't particularly like.

And so began a whirlwind career, resulting in 33 films, including 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' (1953), 'Some Like It Hot' (1959) and her last full film, 'The Misfits' (1961). But Monroe was known for more than just her fabulous acting and charming voice. She had The Look.

Blonde hair, red lips and a beauty spot are synonymous with the Marilyn look. Her full curves had enormous sex appeal, and it seems that this look is making a comeback; high-street store Debenhams say that the curvy hour-glass figure is quickly replacing stick thin size-zero. Outside of the movies, Marilyn favoured muted shades, such as beige, black and cream, and adored the dazzling simplicity of white. Combined with diamonds, of course.

On screen she was much more embellished; think of the vibrant pink satin gown in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and the daringly clingy, tasselled number in 'Some Like It Hot'. Everyone knows the iconic white dress she flaunted in 'The Seven Year Itch' (1955) and many will recognise the shocking dress made of 'skin and beads' which Monroe wore to wish a happy birthday to JFK. The dress, which she had to be sewn in to minutes before going on stage, consisted of around 2,500 rhinestones and gave the illusion of nudity when the light caught it. Happy birthday indeed.

Marilyn favoured the designs of Emilio Pucci, whose career was launched in 1947 when several of his swim wear designs were featured in fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar. After opening a haute couture house on the Isle of Capri, he became famous for his bold geometric prints and bright colours. Marilyn loved them so much that she was buried in a Pucci dress in 1962 at the age of 36.

After three failed marriages and scandalous affairs with presidents, Marilyn's tragic life came to a suspicious end. On the silver screen she played many roles, but in her life she played just one; the victim. She yearned to drop the mask and to discover who she really was, but too often she found the line between acting and reality blurred. But, as we are constantly reminded, with the right shoes she did indeed conquer the world, and the hearts of millions.