Smita Singha Roy on May 3, 2022
Kim Kardashian drew a lot of attention at this year’s Met Gala. She wore Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress. Many individuals were offended by the unearthing of the 60-year-old gown.
The reality star borrowed the glittery, nude gown worn by the starlet to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962 from Orlando’s Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum. Kardashian reportedly went to great lengths to drop weight in order to fit into the curvaceous gown, and then she changed into a duplicate to continue partying the night away.
Following the Gala, the fashion archivist community was enraged. Several conservators have expressed dismay that Kardashian went so far as to pull the original gown out of storage and wear it. Michelle Morgan, author of the 2018 book “The Girl: Marilyn Monroe: The Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist,” expressed her concern regarding the dress to The Post.
“I am extremely disappointed to see this 60-year-old, iconic dress being worn in public. The gown is extremely fragile and has been previously kept in temperature-controlled conditions, but now here it is, not only being worn, but also in a red carpet environment, where anything could have happened to it.”
“Sweat, perfume, and makeup” could have gotten into the dress, causing “untold damage and staining,” according to Morgan. Kardashian, on the other hand, reportedly wore no make-up on her body to the event.
Morgan’s stance was supported by Nina Boski, producer of the “Marilyn: Behind the Icon” TV docuseries and podcast, who said that the viral Kardashian moment is “not a positive remembrance of the star” and “this doesn’t help Marilyn’s legacy, especially on the 60th anniversary of her death.” The “Some Like It Hot” actress died at the age of 36 in August, 1962.
Marilyn Monroe expert and collector Scott Forner also shared his thoughts on the Skims owner’s Met Gala dress.
““Kim did break the internet [with her look] and it was an opportunity for her and Ripley’s. [But] the fans are outraged because it is one of those things in the Marilyn community that is considered sacred. The dress is the quintessential Marilyn Monroe item and it was worn one time by her.”
Even if Kardashian’s wish to appreciate the dress and its historical significance is genuine, they believe her vision should never have been allowed to come to life. Stay tuned to Thirsty to get further updates.
What’s your take on this? Please write down in the comments below!
May 3, 2022 6:01 pm
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