Kim Kardashian Wearing Marilyn Monroe's Dress Was A 'Big Mistake' Says Dress Designer

Sarah Kester
Kim Kardashian selfie wearing a silver dress
instagram | Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian left jaws hanging when she showed up at the 2022 Met Gala wearing Marilyn Monroe's iconic gown from JFK's birthday.

Always one to take a fashion risk, she later changed into the emerald sequin Norman Norell dress that Marilyn wore to the Golden Globes in 1962.

Although Kim loves her look, not everyone agrees. Even Marilyn's original dress designer has said that wearing Marilyn's dress was a "big mistake."

The idea of wearing Marilyn Monroe's dress to the Met Gala had been on Kim Kardashian's mind for some time.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star told Vogue in an interview that paying homage to Marilyn was the best way to meet this year's Met Gala's theme, "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion."

"The idea really came to me after the gala in September last year," she explained.

"I thought to myself, what would I have done for the American theme if it had not been the Balenciaga look?" she continued.

Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian attend The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City.
Getty | Gotham

"And that's Marilyn Monroe."

In order to make her dream happen, Kim had the dress flown to her via private plane from Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum in Orlando, Florida.

Since the dress didn't fit and couldn't be altered, some drastic measures had to be made.

Kim Kardashian in Marilyn's dress holding her golden globe in a hotel room
instagram | Kim Kardashian

Kim made herself fit into the dress by losing 16 pounds in three weeks.

"I would wear a sauna suit twice a day, run on the treadmill, completely cut out all sugar and all carbs, and just eat the cleanest veggies and protein," she told Vogue.

"I didn't starve myself, but I was so strict," she continued.

Lily Reinhart selfie
instagram | Lily Reinhart

This decision has since been slammed as "unhealthy" by many critics. This includes Riverdale's Lili Reinhart, who criticized Kim on her Instagram.

"So [expletive] on 100s of levels," she wrote.

"To openly admit to starving yourself for the sake of the Met Gala," she continued.

Lily Reinhart's post about glorifying weight loss on instagram
instagram | Lily Reinhart

Not wanting other women to heed Kardashian's weight loss regime, she wrote, "The ignorance is other-worldly and disgusting. Please stop supporting these stupid, harmful celebrities whose entire image revolves around their bodies."

That's not the only criticism Kim has received regarding her iconic dress.

 Bob Mackie attends the 73rd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 09, 2019 in New York City.
Getty | Kevin Mazur

Recently, Bob Mackie, the 82-year-old costume designer who sketched Marilyn's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress, criticized Kim's wearing of the skintight, glittery dress in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

"I thought it was a big mistake," Mackie told the outlet.

Marilyn Monroe in her famous white dress twirling around in a room
Giphy | 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

"[Marilyn] was a goddess. A crazy goddess, but a goddess. She was just fabulous. Nobody photographs like that. And it was done for her. It was designed for her," he argued. "Nobody else should be seen in that dress."

He explained that he drew the design in 1962 for Jean Louis.

Kim Kardashian mouting oh my god and putting her hand over her mouth
Giphy | E!

He was a Fresh costume designer who fashioned Monroe to serenade then-president John F. Kennedy for his 45th birthday.

That was the last time Monroe wore the dress.

Unfortunately, she died less than three months later.

Marilyn Monroe with her hands over her head, biting her teeth together as a man approaches
Giphy | Maudit

But Mackie is not alone in how he feels. In fact, dozens upon dozens of people feel the same way.

Mackie's comments echoed similar sentiments from historians who say that Marilyn's dress was sacred.

A lot of people felt that it was not meant to be worn again.

Actress Marilyn Monroe sings "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, for his upcoming 45th birthday.
Getty | Bettmann

Such an iconic piece should have been left alone, people feel.

Dr. Justine De Young, professor of fashion history at the Fashion Institute of Technology, told People that the look was "irresponsible and unnecessary."

"She can –– and did –– commission a replica which would be indistinguishable from the original," Dr. Young added.

Kim Kardashian on a red couch saying, "I like, have chills".
Giphy | KUWTK

"Such an iconic piece of American history should not be put at risk of damage just for an ego-boost and photo-op."

And it's not just professionals who think this, fans online agree.

"Not to be dramatic but it actually makes me so sad that Kim wore Marilyn's dress, it was such an iconic outfit in that time and I wish she had kept it that way instead of feeling like she had to wear it and then manage to make it so incredibly boring. Marilyn would’ve hated it." said one user.

"Sorry but I don’t care how many people disagree with me but Kim shouldn’t have had the opportunity to even wear Marilyn Monroe's dress." said another Twitter user.

"They don’t even compare to each other although I know Kim is an icon for many people, she still doesn’t compare."

"Plus the story behind the dress too." they continued

"Marilyn wore that dress to sing happy birthday to president JFK and then she sadly passed three months later. the dress was such a moment and needed to be praised hence it being held in a museum."

"Kim wanted to wear it to the Met Gala."

"It doesn't compare, at all."

Well, one thing is for sure: no matter what the intent was, Kardashian made headlines as usual. People will be talking about this one for years to come.

H/T: EW