Bob Mackie, the designer of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic gown, says Kim K donning the gown to Met Gala was a ‘big mistake’
82-year-old costume designer, Bob Mackie who designed Monroe’s iconic dress has said it was “a mistake” that Kim Kardashian was permitted to wear the gown.
Bob Mackie gave a crucial examination of Kim rewearing the dress to the Met Gala while conversing with Entertainment Weekly.
By Ann Chigbufue
Mackie said: “I thought it was a big mistake.”
He continued:
“[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. Nobody else should be seen in that dress.”
The celebrated outfit designer drew the design in the year 1962 for Jean Louis, who fashioned the gown Marilyn popularly donned to serenade John F. Kennedy for his 45th birthday. Monroe kicked the bucket less than three months after.
Bob’s comments succeed similar sentiments from historians who declare that Kardashian’s Monroe moment at the Met Ball was “disrespectful to the integrity of the gown and its priceless history.”
Professor of fashion history at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Dr. Justine De Young informed People that the look was “irresponsible and unnecessary.”
Dr. Young said:
“She can –– and did –– commission a replica which would be indistinguishable from the original. Such an iconic piece of American history should not be put at risk of damage just for an ego-boost and photo-op.”
Monroe historian and collector Scott Fortner also told People that Marilyn wished the dress to be completely distinctive to her.
Scott said:
“When Marilyn knew she’d be performing at President John F. Kennedy’s birthday gala she contacted Louis and said, ‘I want you to design a truly historical dress, a dazzling dress that’s one of a kind.’ She asked that it be a dress that, ‘only Marilyn Monroe could wear’.”
Bob continued:
“Marilyn stood nude as the fabric for the dress was literally sculpted to her body to precisely match every curve. The fabric, which is a flesh-colored soufflé gauze imported from France, was layered strategically so she wouldn’t need to wear undergarments.”
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