Kim Kardashian was criticized for wearing the most expensive necklace of all time. The TV star faced backlash for being “vulgar” when she wore a cross necklace with a plunging dress.
Controversy Over Necklace and Dress Combo
Recently, Kim Kardashian became the center of attention at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles, where she wore a revealing white Gucci dress with a neckline that extended down to her waist, paired with a cream-colored cape. The standout feature of her outfit was the large diamond necklace with a purple amethyst cross pendant, once owned by Princess Diana. The necklace was reportedly purchased by Kardashian at an auction for about $212,000. The diamonds in the necklace weigh approximately 5.25 carats, and the cross measures 5.4 inches by 3.7 inches. It was crafted by Garrard, the royal jeweler, in the early 20th century.
The deep neckline of Kim’s dress and the Renaissance-style cross pendant sparked mixed reactions online, with some arguing that the bold cut did not suit such a religious symbol. After Kim’s photos appeared in the media, many criticized the mother of four for looking “shallow” by pairing the artifact with a revealing dress. One commenter on X stated, “If she wants to wear a necklace with such a sacred religious symbol, at least she should style it with the class of Princess Diana to show respect.”
Traditionally, amethyst symbolizes the privilege of the British royal family. The fact that Princess Diana wore such a bold and unusually long pendant is also noteworthy. Steven Stone, a representative for the jewelry brand in the UK, told Page Six: “Very few people could pull off such an unusual piece, except for Princess Diana.”
Some mocked Kardashian for choosing this accessory out of a desire to associate herself with royalty. Another user wrote, “Maybe she wants to be remembered alongside timeless legends like Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Princess Diana, so she decided to buy her way into that class.” Kim Kardashian has not commented on the situation.
Borrowed the dress of actress Marilyn Monroe
This is not the first time Kim Kardashian has worn clothing from famous women. At the 2022 Met Gala, she borrowed the iconic dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday” to U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1962. After the event, Kardashian was accused of damaging the dress, losing several crystals, and leaving others dangling on thin threads. Vogue wrote, “Kim Kardashian didn’t just ruin a simple dress, she ruined a historical object. Regardless of who the owner of the dress is, it should not have been worn by anyone other than Monroe.”
Later, Amanda Joiner, Vice President of Publishing and Licensing at Ripley, clarified the situation in defense of Kim. She was the one who accompanied the dress when it was transported from Florida to New York and when Kardashian wore it. Joiner explained that the condition of the dress remained unchanged.
Ripley stated that the dress had been slightly damaged when the company purchased it at an auction in 2016, with some seams stretched, worn, and wrinkles in the back.
