Photo: Gotham/Getty; Courtesy The Marilyn Monroe Collection
Ripley’s Believe it or Not! is addressing the reported damage toMarilyn Monroe’s iconic dress.
Ripley’s insists that no further damage occurred in the short time Kardashian, 41, wore it.
“From the bottom of the Met steps, where Kim got into the dress, to the top where it was returned, the dress was in the same condition it started in,” said Ripley’s VP of Publishing and Licensing, Amanda Joiner, who was with the dress during its journey from Orlando to New York as well as throughout the day of the Met Gala.
Ripley’s also addressed questions circulating about their decision to loan out such a valuable dress in the first place.
“There is no disputing the fragility of the dress and there was a calculated risk associated with wearing it, but Ripley’s has been collecting notable pop culture memorabilia, historical items, and unbelievable artifacts for years,” the company shared in a statement. “Our mission is to both entertain and educate, and sparking conversations like the discourse around this dress does just that. No matter which side of the debate you are on, the historical importance of the dress has not been negated, but rather highlighted.”
As for any payment transactions, Ripley’s maintains, “Kim Kardashiandid not pay Ripley’s Believe It or Not! to wear the dress, nor did the company pay her. Rather, Kardashian made a charitable donation to two charities in the greater Orlando area on behalf of the company.”
Despite Ripley’s statement, some people still seem to question the decision to have the dress worn at all.
“Do you guys really not see the irony? The Gala specifically fundraises for the Met Costume Institute, which has an entire department devoted to preserving and conserving historical garments,” one commenter wrote in response to Ripley’sInstagrampost about the alleged damage.
The Ripley’s account responded to the comment, claiming, “Believe It or Not! the powers that be, behind the Met Gala, approved Kim’s choice.”
A “before” image that shows none of the reported damage.
The dress, which Kardashian wore for just mere minutes while taking photos on the red carpetbefore changing into a replica, is currently on display at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in Hollywood, California, where it will remain through the fall.
Gotham/Getty
He adds: “I know this dress, and the damage is so apparent. I left Ripley’s in tears. I ran out with my hand over my mouth, holding back the tears, because I could not believe the damage that they allowed to happen for a publicity stunt.”
Fortner, who has one of the world’s largest, privately-held collections of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, told PEOPLE that as a collector it’s been difficult to follow the dress’s current journey.
“I was extremely disappointed to see that the dress actually had suffered significant damage,“Fortnersaid. “Ripley’s made several statements immediately following the Met Gala about how important it was to protect the gown and maintain its integrity.”
The only known picture of Marilyn Monroe with Robert Kennedy and John F. Kennedy.Cecil Stoughton/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty
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In May, Ripley’s shared the efforts that were made to preserve the iconic gown.
“Great care was taken to preserve this piece of pop culture history,” the company wrote onInstagramat the time. “With input from garment conservationists, appraisers, and archivists, the garment’s condition was top priority. Believe It or Not! no alterations were to be made to the dress and Kim even changed into a replica after the red carpet!”
In order to fit into the gown, Kardashian famously lost 16 lbs. in three weeks as the dress — which was first flown to her via private plane from Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in Orlando, Florida — originally didn’t fit and couldn’t be altered.
“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 toldVogueof her strict workout routine. “I didn’t starve myself, but I was so strict.”
Kardashian also toldVoguethat the delicate nature of the dress was top of mind for her and the Ripley’s team.
“I’m extremely respectful to the dress and what it means to American history. 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,” she said. “Everything had to be specifically timed and I had to practice walking up the stairs.”
source: people.com
