Experts have weighed in onKim KardashianwearingMarilyn Monroe’s dressfor the 2022Met Gala, telling PEOPLE why her wardrobe choice is concerning.
Dr. Justine De Young, professor of fashion history at the Fashion Institute of Technology, tells PEOPLE that Kardashian’s look was “irresponsible and unnecessary.”
“She can –– and did –– commission a replica which would be indistinguishable from the original. Such an iconic piece of American history should not be put at risk of damage just for an ego-boost and photo-op,” Dr. Young adds.
Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson at the 2022 Met Gala.Matt Baron/Shutterstock
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Monroe historian and collectorScott Fortneralso tells PEOPLE why Kardashian’s look is “cause for concern.”
John Shearer/Getty; KENA BETANCUR/getty
Fortner, who has one of the world’s largest privatecollectionsof Monroe’s personal property, says the late actress wanted the dress to be one that was unique to her. “When Marilyn knew she’d be performing at President John F. Kennedy’s birthday gala she contacted Louis and said, ‘I want you to design a truly historical dress, a dazzling dress that’s one of a kind.’ She asked that it be a dress that, ‘only Marilyn Monroe could wear,’ " Fortner tells PEOPLE.
“Marilyn stood nude as the fabric for the dress was literally sculpted to her body to precisely match every curve. The fabric, which is a flesh-colored soufflé gauze imported from France, was layered strategically so she wouldn’t need to wear undergarments,” he continues.
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Fortner, who witnessed Ripley’s Believe It or Not! buy the dress for $4.81 million in 2016, notes that “the age of the gown” is also an “issue” as Monroe wore it in May 1962, making the piece 60 years old.
He goes on to address speculation that theKeeping Up with theKardashiansalum didn’t actually fit the gown on Monday night.
“Was it able to be zipped and closed in the back? The fur she wore on the red carpet hid this area and so that’s an ongoing question. Yet, there are photos of her in the gown that show it fully zipped and closed in the back,” Fortner says, noting the sizing changes in the fashion industry over the last six decades. “One of the most enduring topics about Marilyn Monroe, aside from the manner in which she died, is her true size. What were her body measurements? What size did she wear? Was she plus-sized?”
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He adds, “Several years ago, I wrote an article on the topic and I demonstrated Marilyn’s true size using actual clothing from her personal everyday wardrobe which I now own. Yes, she wore a size 14 Pucci blouse in 1962. However, a 1962 size 14 is not a 2022 size 14 due to vanity sizing.”
source: people.com
