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The Real Problem with the Marilyn Monroe dress Kim Kardashian Wore to the Met Gala

Elizabeth Park
2 min readMay 15, 2022

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[With respect to the conservationists, who are obviously right about historical fabrics]

Photo by Kei Scampa: https://www.pexels.com/photo/neon-sign-in-shop-with-vintage-clothes-2964779/

Link to photos of both dresses, because I don’t want to purchase rights to a photo

I disagree with the Marilyn “purists” who clutched their virtual pearls in outrage that a mere reality show queen could wear the dress of their deceased goddess.

I think Marilyn would have enjoyed the spectacle.

She was a master of the public persona.

— But the “original naked dress” was designed specifically for Marilyn’s particular shade of nakedness, which was extremely pale.

Kim’s bronzed skin is in contrast to the dress — therefore, the naked effect is lost altogether.

— Marilyn’s figure (as far as I can tell from the photographs) gave itself unreservedly to the dress, gravity having its way with her breasts and hips. No plastic perfection here, just realness. No underwear; and from the open back, no possible structured bra.

— Also, she looked absolutely delighted with herself, whether she was feeling that way or not.

Kim looked regal but tense, which makes sense under her cascade of difficult variables: rapid weight loss, a dress…

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Elizabeth Park
Elizabeth Park

Written by Elizabeth Park

Van Gogh fan girl, loves good questions and people who listen; Spiritual life coach for anyone exhausted by narcissists salvagingyourstory.com

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