Kim Kardashian did not damage Marilyn Monroe dress worn at Met Gala 2022, says Ripley's


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Ripley's Believe It or Not! says it is "confident" that it did not cause damage to the historic Marilyn Monroe dress worn by Kim Kardashian at this year's Met Gala in May.

The franchise said despite the controversy over the reality TV star's wearing of the dress at the exclusive fashion event in New York, the garment was "in the same condition it started in".

Outrage was sparked after photos posted online by collector Scott Fortner appeared to show damage to the back of the gown after the gala.

The Marilyn Monroe 'Happy Birthday' dress displayed on June 12, 2022, at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Los Angeles. ChadMichael Morrisette via AP
The Marilyn Monroe 'Happy Birthday' dress displayed on June 12, 2022, at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Los Angeles. ChadMichael Morrisette via AP

Fortner told PA that Ripley's had been "irresponsible" to loan the dress to Kardashian and that its only intention had been "publicity" rather than preserving the historical item.

In a lengthy response posted on its website, Ripley's said that the row had in fact highlighted the dress's importance.

"Kim Kardashian's walk up the Metropolitan Museum's stairs at this year's Met Gala caused quite the stir, but one thing Ripley's Believe It or Not! can say with confidence is that it did not cause damage to Marilyn Monroe's famed Happy Birthday dress from 1962," the franchise wrote.

"Our mission is to both entertain and educate visitors and fans, and sparking conversations like the discourse around Marilyn Monroe's 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.

"An entirely new group of young people has now been introduced to the legacy of Marilyn Monroe.

"Kim Kardashian wearing the Happy Birthday dress has been hotly contested, but the fact remains that she did not, in any way, damage the garment in the short amount of time it was worn at the Met Gala.

Ripley's said its vice president of publishing and licensing, Amanda Joiner, who had overseen the dress's transportation to and from the Met Gala had noted that "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".

The company said it had not paid Kardashian to wear the dress, nor had she paid them, but she had made a donation to two charities in the greater Orlando area on behalf of the company.

"Ripley's Believe It or Not! will continue to exhibit the dress — in as-is condition — at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Hollywood through Fall 2022," it said.

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Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)

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Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four

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Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)

Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

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Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 28: Final (Dubai)

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Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)

Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)

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Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya

Three stars

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Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

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Rating: 3/5

Directed by: David Yates

Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law

Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
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Zayed Sports City
 
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani

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Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
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2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16

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Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
  • George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
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  • Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
  • The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
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Updated: October 13, 2022, 11:24 AM