WouldMarilyn Monroehave letKim Kardashianborrow from her closet?
According to the late icon’s estate, Monroe would have been delighted to see the 41-year-old reality star bring her Jean Louis"Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dressout of the archives for the 2022Met Gala.
TMZreported Wednesday that Nick Woodhouse, president and CMO of the Authentic Brands Group, which runs Monroe’s estate, said that his team believes theGentleman Prefer Blondesstar would have celebrated the rewear and cited the similarities between the two women.
John Shearer/Getty; KENA BETANCUR/getty
Dr. Justine De Young, professor of fashion history at the Fashion Institute of Technology, toldPEOPLEthat Kardashian’s look was “irresponsible and unnecessary.”
For more on Kim Kardashian, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
“She can –– and did –– commission a replica which would be indistinguishable from the original. Such an iconic piece of American history should not be put at risk of damage just for an ego-boost and photo-op,” Dr. Young said Tuesday.
Marilyn Monroe in the dress.Cecil Stoughton/AP/Shutterstock
Monroe historian and collectorScott Fortneralso shared with PEOPLE why he believes Kardashian’s look is “cause for concern.”
Getty Images
Fortner, who has one of the world’s largest privatecollectionsof Monroe’s personal property, says the late actress wanted the dress to be one that was unique to her.
“When Marilyn knew she’d be performing at President John F. Kennedy’s birthday gala she contacted Louis and said, ‘I want you to design a truly historical dress, a dazzling dress that’s one of a kind.’ She asked that it be a dress that, ‘only Marilyn Monroe could wear,’ " he argued.
source: people.com
