For Kim KardashianFashion nightmares quickly turn into fashion dreams. The reality star has found herself in hot water amid her decision to wear Marilyn Monroe‘s iconic “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress to the 2022 Met Gala.
After weeks of discussion, the controversy reached its climax when Scott Fortner, a collector claimed that the item was his. Bob Mackie design, which the late actress wore to serenade then-President John F. Kennedy in 1962, was badly damaged after the Skims founder, 41, wore the gown on the red carpet during fashion’s biggest night.
Though the reality star quickly slipped into a replica after wearing Monroe’s look on the Met steps, the alleged harm had already been done, according to Fortner. Fortner shared a photo that he claimed was taken after the dress was loaned out to Kardashian on June 13. The zipper seems to be torn and the dress appears to be missing some crystals.
Kardashian has not yet commented about the alleged damage, but art historians warned against Kardashian being in possession of the iconic garment.
“Historic garments should not be worn by anybody, public or private figures,” the International Council of Museums (ICOM) said in a statement on May 13, per Art News. “Prevention is better than cure.”
Mackie also expressed disapproval. “I thought it was a big mistake,” the designer told Entertainment Weekly last month. “[Marilyn]A goddess. A crazy goddess, but a goddess. She was simply amazing. She is a rare photographer like that. It was made especially for her. It was made especially for her. Nobody else should be seen in that dress.”
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! In 2016, the dress was bought in Los Angeles for $4.8million. “We believe this is the most iconic piece of pop culture there is,” Edward Meyer, vice president of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, said after the purchase. “In the 20th century I cannot think of one single item that tells the story of the 1960s as well as this dress. It’s a new world record for a dress.”
Until Kardashian’s Met appearance, the glittery look had been stored in a temperature-controlled room.
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