Advertisement

Kim Kardashian stuns in Marilyn Monroe's iconic nude gown at the 2022 Met Gala

Kim Kardashian pulled out all the stops for the 2022 Met Gala.

The 41-year-old opted to wear one of the most iconic dresses in fashion history to the annual fundraising event: A vintage, sequin-encrusted nude coloured Bob Mackie gown previously worn by Marilyn Monroe.

Kardashian was one of the last stars to arrive on the red carpet, showing off her curves in the figure-hugging gown, with a white fur stole draping off her shoulders. She attended with boyfriend Pete Davidson.

Kim Kardashian channelled Marilyn Monroe at the 2022 Met Gala. (Image via Getty Images)
Kim Kardashian channelled Marilyn Monroe at the 2022 Met Gala. (Image via Getty Images)

The dress, which was designed by Mackie for Hollywood costume designer Jean-Louis, was famously worn by Monroe in 1962 as she performed a sultry rendition of "Happy Birthday" to former President John F. Kennedy for his 45th birthday.

Social media erupted in praise for Kardashian's throwback ensemble, which was on loan from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum.

"Nothing will ever beat this," one follower said of the star's epic Met Gala ensemble.

Kardashian lost weight to fit into Monroe's iconic nude dress. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )
Kardashian lost weight to fit into Monroe's iconic nude dress. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/MG22/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue )

"I can't get over how stunning Kim is," a fan tweeted.

"Legendary," another wrote of the look.

"This must be the most stunning look I have ever seen on her," a tweet read. "Absolute Hollywood glamour times infinity."

Although the theme of the gala was "Gilded Glamour," Kardashian opted to pay homage to the museum's latest exhibit, "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," which is "built around the tenets of American style" by celebrating "unsung heroes" of American fashion design.

"The idea really came to me after the gala in September last year. I thought to myself, what would I have done for the American theme if it had not been the Balenciaga look? What’s the most American thing you can think of? And that’s Marilyn Monroe,” Kardashian told Vogue, adding that she spent 14 hours dying her hair blonde for the occasion.

The dress required such care to transport and try on that Kardashian wasn't able to tailor the look to her proportions. When the dress didn't fit during the initial fitting, Kardashian took it upon herself to lose 16 pounds in a matter of weeks to ensure she could wear the dress to the Met Gala.

Kim Kardashian wore a vintage Bob Mackie gown originally worn by Marilyn Monroe to the 2022 Met Gala. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)
Kim Kardashian wore a vintage Bob Mackie gown originally worn by Marilyn Monroe to the 2022 Met Gala. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)

“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,” she said. “I didn’t starve myself, but I was so strict.”

Although the star said she could have cried "tears of joy" that the dress fit, the original dress was only worn for a brief time on the red carpet. Once up the infamous Met stairs, Kardashian changed into a replica of the gown so that she could enjoy the rest of the evening.

"I’m extremely respectful to the dress and what it means to American history," Kardashian said. "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,"

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.