Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion<\/em> will be open to the public after the Met Gala has ended, welcoming guests from May 10 to September 2, 2024. The showcase will display 250 rare gowns packed with history from the Costume Institute\u2019s permanent collection. The items date back to the 17th century and can never be worn again, designed by world-class luxury Houses. From first-year Christian Dior to timeless classics by Elsa Schiaparelli, Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion<\/em> is assembled by British curator Andrew Bolton. <\/p>\n The theme has pushed forward an interesting debate: is the 2024 Met Gala theme a subtle jab at reality star and multi-faceted entrepreneur Kim Kardashian? 1 of 2<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span>Greg Swales<\/span>2 of 2<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span>Greg Swales<\/span><\/p>\n The 43-year-old media personality famously wore Marilyn Monroe\u2019s 1962 \u201cHappy Birthday, Mr. President\u201d dress during the 2023 Met Gala red carpet. The speculation comes after Kardashian made her best efforts to squeeze into the petite dress that hasn\u2019t been worn in decades, holding a high position in fashion history. Her dramatic transformation was highly anticipated, falling in line with last year\u2019s Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty<\/em> hook. The exhibition celebrated Lagerfeld\u2019s seven-decade-long career and honored his passing with 150 original looks. <\/p>\n Monroe\u2019s rhinestone-encrusted dress drew eyes far and wide, growing concern for its delicate craftsmanship and extraordinary figure. The SKIMS founder took a deep dive into American history, wishing to portray an unforgettable moment in modern times. A rigorous diet and 14-hour hair transformation were implemented before the big day, showing her boundless commitment to Monroe\u2019s extensive legacy. <\/span><\/span> <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n While she grasped international attention, Kardashian was ultimately met with ruthless critiques from fashion historians and specialists alike. After the Met Gala concluded, images surfaced of the sequined dress with rear tears and fallen crystals that left the garment disheveled. Scott Fortner, the owner of the largest private collection of Marilyn Monroe\u2019s archive, alleged that the dress was \u201cliterally hanging on by threads\u201d and revealed a detailed image shared by a visitor at Ripley\u2019s Believe it Or Not Museum in Hollywood, California. <\/p>\n While special care was taken to prevent damage to the dress, the item tightly clung to Kardashian\u2019s body, leaving her with minimal mobility. Concerns were raised by the Costume Institute\u2019s staff shortly after the Met Gala, seeing the original designer Bob Mackie, and curators Sarah Scaturro and Cha\u00e9dria LaBouvier criticize the Metropolitan Museum of Art for allowing Kardashian to wear the historical artifact. <\/span><\/span>![](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hypebeast.com\/image\/2023\/11\/is-the-2024-met-gala-theme-a-jab-at-kim-kardashians-marilyn-monroe-dress-feature-2.png\")
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