The Met Gala 2022 invited the glitterati of the globe, celebrities, and fashion icons to bring their takes on the “Gilded Glamour” theme. But for us, it will always be remembered as the year when reality TV star Kim Kardashian pulled off a Monroe! It would be bold enough even to entertain the idea of replicating one of the most iconic moments of history, sporting a dress belonging to an inimitable diva. But Kim Kardashian managed it all and with elan. A lot had evolved since last year when a faceless Kim graced the event. This year, to look in sync with the valuable beaded gown, she arrived with dyed blonde hair. Marilyn Monroe’s form-fitting dress, a treasured piece of clothing, was designed by Jean Louis and is the most expensive gown in the world. Monroe paid $1,440 for the custom piece to the designer, which is touted to be the most expensive dress sold at an auction.
Julien’s Auction sold the dress to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in 2016 for nearly $5 million. Besides being graced by the Skims founder, one would only find it encased at the Orlando, Florida-based Ripley’s museum. The illusion gown is legendary as Marilyn Monroe immortalized it at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 19, 1962. In this stunning nude soufflé chiffon gown, Monroe mouthed her version of “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy and a crowd of 15,000, not knowing at the time she had created history. Details of that fundraiser and 45th birthday celebration went down in history as a night to remember, owing to Marilyn Monroe and the dress “that only Marilyn Monroe could wear.”
Nearly six decades later, the historic dress found the right patron, and the 41-year-old billionairess sure did the dress justice. “Well, this is Marilyn Monroe’s dress, and it is 60 years old, and she wore this when she sang ‘Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy in 1962,” Kardashian told Vogue correspondent La La Anthony on the red carpet. “I had this idea to try it on, and then they came with armed guards and gloves,” she continued. If you thought acquiring this vintage, sacrosanct piece of fashion history might’ve been difficult, getting into the garment was an even bigger ordeal. But its go-getter Kim Kardashian we are talking about, “I tried it on, and it didn’t fit me. I said, ‘Give me three weeks.’ I had to lose 16 pounds down today,” Kardashian admitted. “It was such a challenge. It was like a [movie] role. I was determined to fit [into] it. I haven’t had carbs or sugar in about three weeks. We’re having pizza and donut party back at the hotel [after the Met Gala],” shared People.
This indelible Met Gala appearance also made it to Kardashian’s Instagram feed. An honored Kim posted, ‘I am so honored to be wearing the iconic dress that Marilyn Monroe wore in 1962 to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. It is a stunning skintight gown adorned with more than 6,000 hand-sewn crystals by costumier Jean Louis. Thank you, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! for giving me the opportunity to debut this evocative piece of fashion history for the first time since the late Marilyn Monroe wore it. I am forever grateful for this moment.’ With more than 3 million likes, Kardashian also enjoyed the adulation of her followers who commented, ‘YOU WON THE MET,’ and one even dubbed her ‘MODERN MARILYN!!!!’ It should also be noted; out of sheer respect for the sheer dress, Kim only wore the dress for a matter of minutes. She flaunted a replica of the dress once she had walked the red carpet to make sure it wasn’t damaged inside the Met Gala party.
