NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Kim Kardashian attends the 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. (Photo by Noam Galai/GC Images)
Cover NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Kim Kardashian attends the 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. (Photo by Noam Galai/GC Images)

'What's the big deal?' you may have asked about Kim K's seemingly regular crystal-studded gown, but the queen of making a statement proved she's here to keep her crown

Love it or hate it, but Kim Kardashian's entrance at the Met Gala has everyone talking—yet again. She wore the same crystal-embellished, body-fit gown that Marilyn Monroe wore six decades ago when she serenaded former US President John F Kennedy (JFK).

Kardashian's interpretation of this year's 'Gilded Glamour' theme, came from "the most American thing" she could think of. "And that's Marilyn Monroe," she boldly said in an interview. “For me, the most Marilyn Monroe moment is when she sang Happy Birthday to JFK, it was that look.”

In case you missed it: Met Gala 2022: Celebrities Who Didn't Understand the Assignment but Slayed Anyway

Wearing the dress was also a challenge for Kardashian. In the same interview, she revealed all the physical changes she had to go through including bleaching her hair to platinum blond and losing more or less 16 pounds (7kg) just to fit into the iconic dress. “It was such a challenge,” she disclosed. “It was like a role. I was determined to fit this. 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.”

Acquiring the dress was not easy either; it was reportedly borrowed from Ripley's Believe It or Not museum in Orlando, which itself acquired from Julien's 2016 Auctions for US$4.8 million (about PHP251,136,686.59). Designed by Bob Mackie and Jean Louis, the creation currently holds the record for the most expensive dress sold at an auction.

Tatler Trivia: On JFK's birthday event at Madison Square Garden, Monroe was invited to the stage to sing him a happy birthday song. Before her performance, she dropped her fur coat which fuelled the rumours that she was having an affair with the President.

Related: Met Gala 2021: Kim Kardashian’s ‘Outrageous’ Outfit, Let’s Talk About It

Fashion Experts Say 'No' To The Dress

Kardashian's stunt at this year's Met Gala did not get a nod from fashion experts. Minutes after she appeared before the cameras, ire started to brew amongst the fashion archivist community.

Sarah Scaturro, the former Head Conservator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, posted on Instagram to express her dismay over the celebrity's move. "I had to pause before I posted this because I am so angry. Kim Kardashian wearing Marilyn’s historic and iconic dress is unethical. When I was the head of the Costume Institute’s conservation lab I had to swat off requests by people (including Anna Wintour) to have irreplaceable objects in the collection be worn by models and celebrities," she wrote.

"Wearing historic clothing damages it. Full stop. A 60-year-old embellished silk dress is going to have problems, and weak spots. And Kim is certainly putting on products, lotions, creams, perfumes, and body make-up; all of which will further damage it. Don’t even get me started on her struggling to walk up the stairs in her clear platform stilettos, stepping on the hem," she further explained.

Tatler Asia
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02: Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson arrive to 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.  (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Above NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02: Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson arrive to 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. (Photo by Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
Tatler Asia
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02:  Kim Kardashian attends the 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022 in New York City.  (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)
Above NEW YORK, NY - MAY 02: Kim Kardashian attends the 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)

In one interview, fashion historian Keren Ben-Horin, whose interests include the 19th, 20th, and 21st century fashion, feared that Kardashian would likely inspire other “fancy powerful rich people" to pressure conservators to let them borrow similarly irreplaceable ensembles. 

“In my opinion, [Kim wearing the dress] was not a good idea," fashion historian Keren Ben-Horin firmly said. “It raises a lot of questions about ethics. Sarah raises very important points that this is one of a kind, of historical garment that should not leave the museum. For conservators, there are a lot of things they consider even before they even take any action to restore the dress. Sometimes they might even leave sweat stains in because it's part of the integrity of the dress.”

More from Tatler: The Best Looks at Met Gala 2022

'Promoting Harmful Body Image'

Above In this short clip, Kim Kardashian is seen working out with her sisters.

As if drawing flak from the fashion community is not enough, Kardashian also faced criticisms from the internet for allegedly promoting her drastic physical changes. Some reports called the celebrity out for discussing the ways she achieved her desired weight carelessly and on the global stage. 

"For the average media consumer, Kardashian’s crash diet and subsequent commentary could be perceived as nothing more than an eye-roll-inducing publicity stunt or a harmless short-term crash diet before a big event. For those of us who have suffered through any form of disordered eating or are well versed in the undeniable and profound impact these stunts can have on the mental and physical health of millions, this is serious," one article from Glamour said.

Related: Fact or Bluff: 7 Popular Weight Loss Myths Debunked

Meanwhile, Angela Lemond, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, also warned against Kardashian's 'crash diet'. "We have to remember that food is energy for our body, and we should not be afraid to eat whole wholesome foods, and we should focus on the foods that we should eat versus ones we shouldn’t eat."

Still The Most Talked About

Tatler Asia
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Kim Kardashian attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Above NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Kim Kardashian attends The 2021 Met Gala Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Every year at the much-awaited Met Gala, Kardashian encounters praises and criticisms from left to right; her actions, albeit questionable, have always put her in the spotlight, the reason for media people to throng the places where they know she's around.

While the crowd does not know whether she is actually taking points and learning from her past behaviours, one thing about her remains indisputable⁠—Kim K definitely knows how to make a statement - and more.

NOW READ

The Most Extravagant Pink Outfits Worn by Celebrities: Gemma Chan, Paris Hilton, and More

Gilded Glamour: 12 Red Carpet Looks We Want to See at the 2022 Met Gala

When Celebrities Pop The Question, It's Grander Than Movies