Reality TV icon Kim Kardashian continues to face backlash over her controversial fashion choice at the 2022 Met Gala. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star had donned Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress—the one Monroe famously wore to serenade President John F. Kennedy in 1962.
The gown, originally sketched by legendary designer Bob Mackie, has stirred debate since Kardashian’s appearance. Recently, Mackie revisited the controversy in his documentary, Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion. When asked about Kardashian’s decision to wear the dress, the 84-year-old designer appeared visibly uneasy.
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Mackie turned the question back to the audience, asking if they thought it was acceptable. The crowd’s loud boos spoke volumes, and Mackie eventually shrugged, stating firmly, “Wrong is wrong!”
This isn’t the first time Mackie has expressed disapproval. In an earlier interview with Entertainment Weekly, the celebrated designer had called Kardashian’s choice “a big mistake.” He explained, “[Marilyn] was a goddess. A wild 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.”
Kardashian’s decision to wear the historic dress sparked widespread debate even at the time of the event. Critics argued that the garment was a piece of cultural and fashion history that should have remained untouched. Fans of Marilyn Monroe and fashion purists alike believed that such an iconic artifact should not have been repurposed, even for a high-profile occasion like the Met Gala.
While Kardashian claimed she treated the dress with the utmost care and even lost weight to fit into it, the controversy hasn’t subsided. For many, the gown symbolizes an era and a persona that only Monroe could embody.
As the debate resurfaces following Mackie’s comments, it’s clear that the conversation about preserving historical fashion versus modern reinterpretation remains a deeply polarizing topic. For Kardashian, the Met Gala moment may have been a dazzling tribute, but for others, it was a misstep that disrupted the legacy of an irreplaceable icon.
