Kim Kardashian walked the red carpet at the 2022 Met Gala in a crystal-encrusted gown that was last worn by Marilyn Monroe six decades ago when she serenaded US President John F Kennedy on his birthday.
The Met Gala, which is famed for its high-profile guest list and expensive outfits, kicks off the annual fashion show at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In the gown, Marilyn Monroe serenades JFK at Madison Square Garden.
In the gown, Marilyn Monroe serenades JFK at Madison Square Garden. Bettmann Archive / Bettmann / Bettmann / Bettmann / Bett
The gala theme of “gilded splendour” was inspired by this year’s show, In America: An Anthology of Fashion.
“The most American thing you can think of” inspired Kardashian’s version of the theme.
She told Vogue, “And that’s Marilyn Monroe.” “The most Marilyn Monroe moment for me is when she sang Happy Birthday to JFK and gave him that look.” It took more than just wearing the Bob Mackie dress to convert Kardashian into Monroe for the Met Gala carpet. She told Vogue, “I did desire a physical makeover as well.”
Kardashian claims she shed 16 pounds (7kg) in less than a month to fit into the garment, in addition to dying her hair platinum blond.
“It was such a difficult task,” she added. “It was like playing a part.” I was adamant about fitting in. I’d put on a sauna suit twice a day, run on the treadmill, eliminate all sugar and carbs, and eat only the freshest vegetables and protein.”
It was very difficult to obtain the dress. According to Vogue, the garment sold for $US4.8 million in 2016 and holds the record for the most expensive dress ever sold at auction.
The gown was carried to Kardashian’s house in Calabasas, California, by private plane and accompanied by security, and is now kept in a temperature-controlled vault at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum in Orlando, Florida.
She wore a multimillion dollar gown with a white fur shawl as she walked down the red carpet. She appeared alongside her partner, Pete Davidson, with her newly bleached hair slicked into a bun. The comedian was dressed in a black suit with sunglasses on his face.
The dress, designed by Jean Louis based on a drawing by Bob Mackie and worn by Monroe in 1962, generated quite a stir.
“Nowadays, everyone wears sheer gowns,” Kardashian told Vogue, “but that wasn’t the case back then.” “It’s the original nude clothing in a way.” That’s why it came as such a shock.”
Kardashian’s 2019 “wet” Thierry Mugler dress pouring in crystals and last year’s head-to-toe black Balenciaga bodysuit are just two of her Met Gala ensembles that have garnered attention.
