According to the owner of a Marilyn Monroe gown, Kim Kardashian did not ‘in any way’ harm it.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is a popular tourist attraction in the United States. Monroe’s ‘Happy Birthday’ gown was loaned to the reality TV personality, who defended it, saying its significance ‘has not been eliminated, but rather accentuated.’
The proprietors of the Marilyn Monroe dress worn by Kim Kardashian at last month’s Met Ball have retaliated against claims that the loan harmed the clothing.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, which paid £3.8 million for the dress in 2016, said it was “confident” Kardashian did not harm it. Monroe wore it to sing Happy Birthday to John F Kennedy in 1962.

Following images uploaded on Instagram by a Monroe collector, Scott Fortner, alleging “serious” damage had been inflicted, there was a renewed outcry against the reality TV personality wearing the dress.

The photographs appeared to reveal substantial buckling, ripping, and possibly the loss of part of the dress’s crystals.

In video footage of the garment released by author Darrell Rooney, damage to the shoulder straps was also visible.
Many mocked Kardashian’s excitement to wear the gown, which required her to go on a crash diet in the weeks preceding up to the event. Kardashian changed into a copycat gown after walking the red carpet in the original, which she accessorised with a white stole because she couldn’t do the whole thing.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! was also chastised for accepting to the loan and perhaps neglecting to preserve a historical artefact.

The corporation defended its image on Thursday, claiming that the discussion had been beneficial to cultural preservation.

“Kim Kardashian’s trek up the Met Museum stairs at this year’s Met Gala generated quite a fuss, but Ripley’s Believe It or Not! can confidently state that it did not cause damage to Marilyn Monroe’s renowned ‘Happy Birthday‘ outfit from 1962,” it claimed.

“Our goal is to amuse as well as educate visitors and fans, and igniting debates like the one over Marilyn Monroe’s outfit achieves exactly that.”

“The historical significance of the clothing has not been eliminated, but rather underlined, regardless of whatever side of the issue you are on.” Marilyn Monroe’s legacy has now been presented to a whole new generation of young people.”

So Kardashian wouldn’t have to drive in a car or walk far while wearing the dress, an unique fitting room was built near the foot of the Met Gala red carpet steps.

“From the bottom of the Met steps, when Kim got into the dress, to the top, where it was returned, the garment was in the exact condition it started in,” a Ripley’s representative said on Thursday.