Kim Kardashian caused controversy when she arrived at the 2022 Met Gala wearing Marilyn Monroe’s legendary 1962 “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress.
“I’m extremely respectful to the dress and what it means to American history,” she told Vogue. “I would never want to sit in it or eat in it or risk any damage to it, and I won’t be wearing the kind of body makeup I usually do.”
“Kim should’ve never worn that dress, to begin with. I mean, yes, it’s nice to pay homage to Marilyn, but she could’ve had a new dress made and replicated. This was a timeless and iconic artifact that’s been ruined,” one tweeted in response. “Leave it to Kim to destroy a historial piece of art,” another said.
“This was no easy decision for Ripley’s. However, Kim Kardashian has continued to show the utmost respect for this opportunity and historic garment,” Ripley’s said. “From extensive research to following guidelines such as no body makeup, only wearing the dress for the short red-carpet appearance, and making absolutely no alterations, she has become a steward — and added to — its history.”
The museum also stated that the garment had sustained “no damage.”
