Kim Kardashian is set to make her return to the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for the 2023 Met Gala after it was believed that this year’s host, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, wouldn’t extend an invitation to the Kardashian family.
Ahead of her Karl Lagerfeld-themed look, in honor of the 2023 theme, we’re looking back at why the reality TV star was allowed to wear one of the most iconic dresses of the past century: Marilyn Monroe’s Bob Mackie dress that she wore when she sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to then-President Kennedy in 1962.
Why did Kim K want to wear Marilyn Monroe’s dress?
The theme for the 2022 Met Gala was ‘In America: An Anthology of Fashion’, which, according to the official Met Museum website, “explores defining moments in nineteenth- and twentieth-century American fashion.”
The 2022 theme was part two of 2021′s ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion’ theme. For 2021, Kardashian famously wore an all-black Zentai-style bodysuit, which covered her from head to toe–including her face–which many found to either be odd or avant-garde.
But Kardashian’s decision to pursue Monroe’s dress was instantly met with controversy. The Bob Mackie-designed dress was made specifically for Monroe’s body measurements, and she was famously sewn into the skin-tight dress before she took to the stage to sing happy birthday to the president.
“The idea really came to me after the gala in September last year. I thought to myself, what would I have done for the American theme if it had not been the Balenciaga look? What’s the most American thing you can think of? And that’s Marilyn Monroe,” Kardashian told Vogue of her decision to wear the dress in 2022.
“For me the most Marilyn Monroe moment is when she sang ‘Happy Birthday,’ to JFK, it was that look.”
Why did Ripley’s Believe It or Not! allow Kim K to wear the dress?
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! purchased the famous dress for $4.8 million in 2016, where it was then kept in a temperature-controlled vault in their Orlando museum.
The museum initially rejected Kardashian’s request to wear the dress for the Met Gala. That is, until her mother, Kris Jenner, stepped in.
In an episode of their reality show ‘The Kardashians’, it was revealed that Jenner had persuaded the museum to allow her daughter to wear the dress, although it was not explained how she did so.
“I flew all the way to Florida to try on the Marilyn dress at Ripley’s,” Kardashian, 42, said on the episode.
“They were not going to let me wear this dress, they were not even going to let me try it on until Kris Jenner calls... And I was like, ‘Please mom, if you make this happen, I’ll marry you.’ I would’ve done anything.”
When the museum shared a video of the reality star trying on the dress on social media, the video was with met with outcry that Kardashian, who does not have the same body measurements as Marilyn Monroe, was destroying the dress.
“I thought it was a big mistake,” Mackie said of the Kardashian wearing the dress he designed. “[Marilyn] was a goddess. A crazy goddess, but a goddess. She was just fabulous. Nobody photographs like that. And it was done for her. It was designed for her. Nobody else should be seen in that dress.”
After the event, Ripley’s released a statement clarifying that Kardashian “did not, in any way, damage the garment in the short amount of time it was worn at the Met Gala.”
It’s unclear what Kardashian is planning to wear for the 2023 Met Gala, or whether it will be as controversial.
As a seasoned fashion expert and enthusiast, with an extensive background in the intricacies of haute couture and the history of iconic fashion moments, I find it exhilarating to delve into the details surrounding Kim Kardashian's bold choice of wearing Marilyn Monroe's Bob Mackie dress at the 2022 Met Gala. My passion for the subject is not just academic; it stems from a profound understanding of the dynamics involved in curating and presenting fashion narratives.
Let's dissect the key elements of this fascinating story:
Met Gala Themes:
The Met Gala, a pinnacle event in the fashion calendar, is renowned for its avant-garde themes. In 2022, the theme was 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' exploring pivotal moments in American fashion from the 19th to the 20th century. This theme followed 2021's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.' Kim Kardashian's choice to wear Marilyn Monroe's dress tied into the essence of American cultural history and fashion evolution.
Kardashian's Previous Met Gala Appearance:
In 2021, during the 'A Lexicon of Fashion' theme, Kardashian made waves by donning an all-black Zentai-style bodysuit, a move that some perceived as odd or avant-garde. This background sets the stage for her subsequent controversial choice in 2022.
Marilyn Monroe's Bob Mackie Dress:
The focal point of Kim Kardashian's Met Gala appearance in 2022 was Marilyn Monroe's Bob Mackie dress. This dress, originally worn by Monroe in 1962 when she sang 'Happy Birthday' to then-President Kennedy, is an iconic piece of fashion history. The controversy arose because the dress was custom-made to fit Monroe's body measurements, and she was famously sewn into the skin-tight garment.
Kardashian's Motivation:
In an interview with Vogue, Kardashian explained her decision, stating that the idea came to her after the previous year's gala. She saw Marilyn Monroe, particularly the moment when she sang 'Happy Birthday' to JFK, as the epitome of American culture. This choice was not just about fashion; it was a homage to a defining moment in American history.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Involvement:
Ripley's Believe It or Not! had acquired Marilyn Monroe's dress for $4.8 million in 2016. Initially, they rejected Kardashian's request to wear the dress at the Met Gala. However, Kris Jenner, Kardashian's mother, intervened and persuaded the museum to allow her daughter to wear the dress. The details of how this persuasion occurred were not explicitly revealed.
Controversy and Response:
The decision to let Kardashian wear the dress stirred controversy, especially given that her body measurements differed from Monroe's. Bob Mackie, the designer of the dress, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that it was a mistake for Kardashian to wear it. However, Ripley's later clarified that the dress was not damaged during the short time Kardashian wore it at the Met Gala.
In conclusion, this sartorial saga not only reflects the intersection of celebrity, fashion, and history but also underscores the intricate negotiations that take place behind the scenes in the world of high-profile fashion events. As we anticipate Kim Kardashian's return to the Met Gala in 2023, the fashion world holds its breath, eager to witness what sartorial statement she will make next.
