Kim Kardashian has “permanently damaged” Marilyn Monroe’s dress, a collector claims. The 41-year-old reality star made an appearance (and also caused controversy) at the Met Gala 2022 back in May wearing the iconic number which was worn by the late Hollywood legend in 1962 when she sang Happy Birthday to then-President John F. Kennedy. But collector Scott Fortner has now slammed the decision for Ripley’s Believe It Or Not to loan the Monroe dress to Kardashian as “irresponsible.”
The Scott Fortner Marilyn Monroe Collection, “the world’s largest private collection of Monroe’s personal property & archives,” shared photos on Instagram of the dress’ condition before and after its night out at the Met. Damage and fraying along the zippered seam, as well as multiple missing crystals, are clearly visible with some left hanging by a thread. “So much for keeping ‘the integrity of the dress and the preservation,’” the post’s caption lamented. “@ripleysbelieveitornot, was it worth it?”
View this post on Instagram
Fortner further added: “I do feel that it [was] irresponsible, this is not just a dress. This is a cultural icon. It’s a political icon. It’s a Hollywood icon. It’s part of American history from an event that happened 60 years ago and…it should have been archived and preserved and taken care of. I think the disappointment that I’m experiencing is Ripley has made multiple statements that they were doing everything that they could to protect and preserve the gown.”
However, Fortner was keen to stress that he wasn’t trying to attack The Kardashians star with his comments, but rather reminding his followers that it is the “most famous” dress in the world. He said: “I think a lot of people are really kind of coming down really hard on Kim Kardashian and that’s not my attempt here. It’s the most famous dress in the world.”
Evidently Kim Kardashian ruined Marilyn Monroe Dress
— Gomzee (@GelaniParody) June 14, 2022
During Met Gala 2022
Retweet#KimKardashian #MarilynMonroe #MetGala #MetGala2022 pic.twitter.com/JyTLPU9nem
In order to preserve the dress’ attraction Ripley’s — who purchased the historic item of clothing back in 2016 for a reported $4.8 million — claimed that “great care” was taken, with Kim only wearing the dress for a few minutes before changing into a replica.
In a statement, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! said: “Great care was taken to preserve this piece of pop culture history. This was no easy decision for Ripley’s, however, Kim Kardashian has continued to show the utmost respect for this opportunity and historic garment.”
In 1962 Marilyn Monroe sing Happy Birthday Mr. President for John F. Kennedy for his 45th birthday at this gorgeous dress ? #MarilynMonroe pic.twitter.com/mXSY3jkrye
— ivon stormi libalova (@ivonlibalova) June 16, 2022
Kim Kardashian was able to wear the Marilyn Monroe dress through a partnership with Ripley’s! Believe it or Not. Amanda Joiner, vice president of licensing and publishing at Ripley’s, told the media that she said her team went to great lengths to protect the condition of the dress.
“We basically had many conversations with Kim and her team and put a lot of requirements in place with security and with the handling of the dress,” Joiner said. “The dress was never with Kim alone. It was always with a Ripley’s representative. We always ensured that at any time we felt that the dress was in danger of ripping or we felt uncomfortable about anything, we always had the ability to be able to say we are not going to continue with this.”
Images: kimkardashian by gregswalesart | Instagram
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