They call it the "Windy City", and now one of the most famous skirt-blowing scenes in history lives on in Chicago's Pioneer court.

The now iconic image of Marilyn Monroe, white dress blowing around her as she stands over a New York subway, has been re-imagined as a giant 26-foot tall statue by artist Seward Johnson.

Weighing in at a whopping 34,000 lbs, the stainless steel and aluminium sculpture is remarkably detailed, right down to her red-painted toenails, and to protect her modesty, a pair of white knickers are visible underneath Marilyn's skirt.

Due to be unveiled tommorow (16 July), workers covered the face of the statue in an ill-fated attempt to shield her identity, but Marilyn's other assets have already attracted the attention of passers-by.

The statue will be on show until spring 2012, but if you can't hop on a plane, take a sneak peek at the larger-than-life Marilyn above and below.

Giant Marilyn Monroe storms the city