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Topics: Kim Kardashian, Fashion, Celebrity, US News
Tom Fenton
Kim Kardashian's decision to wear a vintage dress that was originally made for Marilyn Monroe at the 2022 Met Gala has been questioned by a legendary designer.
Bob Mackie, who designed the late Hollywood starlet's 'Happy Birthday Mr President' naked dress, was critical of the move, calling it a 'big mistake'.
As PEOPLE report, Kardashian had to loose 16 lbs in order to fit the gown, which was first drawn by Mackie back in 1962.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, in a story published Monday on Turner Classic Movies' new series Follow the Thread, the 82-year-old explained why the choice was so misguided.
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"[Marilyn] was a goddess. A crazy goddess, but a goddess," Mackie states. "She was just fabulous. Nobody photographs like that. And it was done for her. It was designed for her.
"Nobody else should be seen in that dress."
It was in the famous frock that Monroe, who starred in numerous Hollywood movies in the 50s and 60s, serenaded former US President John F. Kennedy for his 45th Birthday.
Within 18 months, both would be dead, with Monroe passing away aged just 36 due to a drug overdose.
However, her legacy in the worlds of fashion and film has lived on - hence Kardashian's homage to the iconic star of the big screen.
"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," Kardashian told Vogue of her strict workout routine.
"I didn't starve myself, but I was so strict."
She ended up only actually wearing the original dress for a matter of minutes, taking pictures with it on up the steps of the Met before changing into a lookalike gown for the remainder of the event.
Mackie's critical comments were echoed by several historians in the wake of the 2022 Met Gala - with some claiming that it was a disrespectful move given the dress' priceless place in history.
Dr. Justine De Young, professor of fashion history at the Fashion Institute of Technology, told PEOPLE that choice was 'irresponsible and unnecessary'.
In response to such comments, the 41-year-old reality TV star emphasised how cautious she had been when wearing the garment.
"I'm extremely respectful to the dress and what it means to American history. I would never want to sit in it or eat in it or have any risk of any damage to it and I won't be wearing the kind of body makeup I usually do," Kardashian added.
"Everything had to be specifically timed and I had to practice walking up the stairs."