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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Tina Campbell

2022 Met Gala: Kim Kardashian steals the show in £3.8m dress originally worn by Marilyn Monroe

Kim Kardashian turned heads at the Met Gala by wearing a dress originally worn by screen goddess Marilyn Monroe 60 years ago.

The crystal-studded gown, which was made by Jean Louis, is what the Hollywood actress wore when she infamously sang Happy Birthday, Mr. President to President John F. Kennedy in 1962.

The one-of-a-kind gold ensemble was purchased by executives at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! for a staggering $4.8 million (£3.8 million) at auction in 2016.

Since then, it has been kept in a temperature-controlled vault at a museum in Orlando, Florida.

The dress was transported to Kardashian’s home in Calabasas, California by private plane and accompanied by guards.

Taking to Instagram, Kardashian said of the iconic outfit: "It is a stunning skintight gown adorned with more than 6,000 hand-sewn crystals by costumier Jean Louis."

Kim Kardashian told how she lost 16 pounds after following a strict diet in order to git into the dress (AFP via Getty Images)

“Thank you Ripley’s Believe It or Not! for giving me the opportunity to debut this evocative piece of fashion history for the first time since the late Marilyn Monroe wore it. I am forever grateful for this moment.”

In addition to bleaching her hair blonde, Kardashian accessorised with a white fur shawl. She posed for photos alongside boyfriend Pete Davidson.

Marilyn Monroe sporting the infamous frock in 1962 (AP)

The SKIMS mogul also revealed that she had to go on a strict diet in order to fit her famous curves into the gown.

The mum-of-four lost around 17 pounds in the month leading up to the annual bash.

“I always thought she [Marilyn Monroe] was extremely curvy. I imagined I might be smaller in some places where she was bigger and bigger in places where she was smaller. So when it didn’t fit me I wanted to cry because it can’t be altered at all,” she told Vogue.

"It was such a challenge, it was like a role. I was determined to fit. 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. I didn’t starve myself, but I was so strict,” The Kardashians star continued.

The dress was bought by Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum for a staggering $4.8 million (£3.8 million) at auction in 2016 (Rex)

After the event she indulged in a carbs overload, sharing on Instagram that she was treating herself to pizza and doughnuts.

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