Kim Kardashian, the reality TV star and entrepreneur, drew significant attention at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2024 Met Gala on May 6 in New York City, due to her choice of dress.
Kardashian’s outfit, designed by John Galliano, was a custom Maison Margiela Artisanal gown and featured a pronounced metal corset that significantly reduced her waist size. This fashion choice has led to widespread discussion and concern about her comfort and safety.
The dress evoked a variety of reactions from the public, ranging from admiration for the gown’s beauty and craftsmanship to anxiety over its physical limitations. “Looking at her, I just wanted to offer her a deep breath,” said one attendee, referring to the noticeable tightness of the corset.
The gown combined a comfortable grey cashmere cardigan with an ornate corset made from vintage silver brocade and a skirt decorated with silver metal. The design, which was meant to depict lace, flowers, leaves, and sprigs, was said to be inspired by the relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and her jewelry. The entire outfit was in line with the Met Gala’s 2024 theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” which focuses on delicate fashion items from a natural perspective.
However, the severe waist reduction caused by the metal corset has raised questions about possible health hazards and the standard it sets for body image. Health experts have pointed out that such tight lacing can significantly reduce lung capacity, interfere with the cardiovascular and digestive systems, and even cause long-term problems such as chronic pain and posture issues.
In spite of the potential discomfort, Kardashian said during a red carpet interview that she appreciates the corset’s visual impact. “It’s all worth it when you love the aesthetic,” she stated, underscoring the influential power of such aggressive fashion choices.
Kardashian’s Met Gala fashion statements have consistently sparked conversations over the years about how far fashion should push the human body. In 2022, she famously wore Marilyn Monroe’s dress, resulting in a drastic weight loss of 16 pounds in three weeks, which led to significant health complications like psoriasis flares and psoriatic arthritis.
Online critics and others have voiced their concerns that such outfits continue to promote unrealistic beauty norms. “When public figures embrace such extreme aesthetics, it sends a mixed message about body positivity and health,” noted Dr. Helen Marson, a specialist in body image issues.
Despite the controversy, Kardashian continues to be a prominent figure in the fashion industry, often using the Met Gala as a stage to make daring statements. Her history at the Met Gala demonstrates her readiness to push limits and challenge conventional fashion and beauty standards.
The debate on whether fashion, as an art form, should promote healthy and achievable beauty standards continues. As indicated by Kardashian’s latest Met Gala appearance, this conversation is far from concluded.