Olathe’s HYER Boots reboots the cowboy pair Marilyn Monroe wore in ‘The Misfits’
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- HYER is releasing a limited Wildcat boot inspired by Monroe's pair.
- Tommy Hilfiger bought the boots at Christie's in October 1999 for $85,000.
- The boots will be displayed at the Academy Museum from May 31 through Feb. 28, 2027.
In the last movie Marilyn Monroe finished before she died in 1962, her wardrobe included a pair of custom cowboy boots from a famous Kansas bootmaker.
Years later, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger bought those boots, which are now on the cusp of a reboot.
As Roslyn Taber in “The Misfits,” a Western starring Clark Gable and written by Monroe’s third husband, playwright Arthur Miller, Monroe wore Levi jeans with a Lee Storm Rider denim jacket and size 7 1/2 B Wildcat boots from HYER Boots in Olathe.
She kept them after production — tan leather with curved tops, decorative stitching in green and yellow, and traditional “bug” medallions stitched over the pointed toes to help them wrinkle just-so.
Now, HYER is issuing a limited-edition boot inspired by that pair to mark what would have been Monroe’s 100th birthday this year. She was born June 1, 1929 and died Aug. 4, 1962.
The Wildcat boot marries a classic silhouette with a touch of Hollywood glamour, the company says. It will be available online and in select stores on May 15.
Monroe’s boots were auctioned along with other pieces of her personal property by Christie’s in October 1999. Hilfiger won them for $85,000 and framed them in a shadow box, which hung in his office for more than 20 years until he sold them at auction through Julien’s last year.
They were acquired for $78,000 by The Marilyn Monroe Collection, a famous private archive of the star’s belongings curated by Monroe expert Scott Fortner. A portion of the proceeds benefitted NEXT for AUTISM that supports autistic adults.
“Worn by Marilyn during filming in Nevada in 1960, the boots were part of the costume that helped define her portrayal of Roslyn Taber, one of the most emotionally complex roles of her career,” says the collection’s description of the boots.
“Unlike studio retained wardrobe, these boots remained among Marilyn’s personal possessions, reflecting their significance both professionally and personally. Their wear and construction provide direct evidence of her physical presence on set and her active participation in the production of the film.
“Preserved as part of her estate, these boots offer a tangible connection to Marilyn Monroe’s final completed performance. They stand as a powerful reminder of her dedication to her craft and her lasting contribution to American cinema.”
The boots, considered “among the final surviving artifacts tied directly to her last completed film.” the archive says, will be displayed May 31 through Feb. 28, 2027 at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
Hundreds of objects will be displayed, including rarely seen personal items and costumes Monroe wore on screen, such as the famous pink dress from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”
Retailers — including Nigro’s Western Store No. 2 in Johnson County — are planning special events for the May 15 debut.
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