Written by Megan C. Hills, CNN
As the Met Gala red carpet drew to a close on Monday night, Kim Kardashian arrived elegantly late in a shimmering slinky dress once worn by Marilyn Monroe. adorned with more
6,000 hand-sewn crystalsthe pre-loved dress was worn by Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962.
While certainly glamorous, Kardashian opted for a rather laid-back interpretation of the night’s theme that focused on America’s Gilded Age, a period during the last 30 years of the 19th century when industrialization rapidly amplified the country’s wealth gap.
Created 60 years ago by Hollywood designer Jean Louis, with the help of Bob Mackie, the sparkly dress is one of Monroe’s most iconic looks. She lent it to Kardashian Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, a museum and event franchise that bought the dress for a
record $4.8 million at a 2016 auction.
Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala last night, wearing a Marilyn Monroe dress. Credit: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
Speaking after Monroe’s seductive performance for her 45th birthday, Kennedy said: “Now I can retire from politics after having ‘Happy Birthday’ sung to me in such a
sweet and healthy way.”
The moment fueled rumors about the nature of Monroe and Kennedy’s relationship.
Part of the legend surrounding Monroe’s dress is that it had to be sewn into the figure-hugging dress and
I couldn’t wear underwear under it. He was so tight that he seemed to have trouble walking during his 1962 performance. Kardashian encountered similar difficulties on the red carpet at the Costume Institute, where she was seen shuffling carefully up the stairs, with the help of her boyfriend. Peter Davidson. According to his agreement with Ripley’s,
Without modifications The dress was allowed to be made, though it was later made into a replica for the rest of the event.
Actress Marilyn Monroe sings “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, for his upcoming 45th birthday. Credit: Bettmann Archive/Fake Images
Kardashian told Vogue that she lost 16 pounds in just three weeks to be able to wear the garment: “It was such a challenge, it was like a role. I was determined to fit in. I don’t think they believed I was going to do it.” But I did it.”
While her appearance was met with applause on the night and plenty of positive comments, some social media users criticized Kardashian for hyping up her weight loss, a topic she has previously addressed.
drawn anger for in the past. One user called her rapid weight change “extremely unhealthy,” while another encouraged her to “think about the influence of what she says,” adding that talking about extreme weight loss is “detrimental.” Another added that they felt her “message is so damaging to young girls watching.”
Speaking of this year’s Met Gala dress, Kardashian tweeted that she was “
honoredbeing the first person to wear the dress since Monroe wore it decades ago, saying, “I am eternally grateful for this moment.”
Ripley tweeted the reality star: “You are truly the
Marilyn of our time.”
