At the 2024 Met Gala, May 6, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Kim Kardashian turned heads and ignited conversations with her choice of attire.
The reality TV star and entrepreneur wore a custom Maison Margiela Artisanal gown designed by John Galliano. The ensemble featured a striking metal corset that cinched her waist to an extreme degree, a style choice that has since sparked widespread debate and concern for her comfort and even her safety.
Fans and spectators have had mixed reactions, ranging from awe at the craftsmanship and beauty of the gown to discomfort and worry over the apparent physical restrictions it imposed. “Looking at her, I just wanted to offer her a deep breath,” one Gala attendee commented, highlighting the visible tightness of the corset.
Kardashian’s gown paired a cozy grey cashmere cardigan with a couture corset rewoven from antique silver brocade and a skirt embellished with silver metal. The design, intended to evoke lace, flowers, leaves, and sprigs, was described by the luxury fashion brand as inspired by the symbiotic love affair between Elizabeth Taylor and her jewelry. The entire outfit aligned with this year’s Met Gala theme, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” which explores fragile fashion pieces through a lens of nature.
However, the extreme waist-cinching by the metal corset has raised concerns about the potential health risks and the message it sends regarding body image standards. Medical professionals have noted that such tight-lacing can severely restrict lung capacity, disrupt the cardiovascular and digestive systems, and even lead to long-term issues like chronic pain and posture problems.
Despite the physical discomfort, Kardashian shared in an interview on the red carpet that she loves the visual effect of the corset. “It’s all worth it when you love the aesthetic,” she remarked, emphasizing the transformative power of such bold fashion statements.
The discussion around Kardashian’s look isn’t new. Over the years, her Met Gala appearances have consistently sparked dialogues about the lengths to which fashion can and should push the human body. In 2022, she famously wore Marilyn Monroe’s dress, which required her to undergo a drastic weight loss regimen of 16 pounds in three weeks, leading to significant health issues like psoriasis outbreaks and psoriatic arthritis.
Critics on social media and beyond have expressed concerns that such looks continue to propagate unrealistic beauty standards. “When public figures embrace such extreme aesthetics, it sends a mixed message about body positivity and health,” said Dr. Helen Marson, a specialist in body image issues.
Despite the controversy, Kardashian remains a steadfast figure in the fashion world, often using the Met Gala as a platform to make bold statements. Her Met Gala history is a testament to her willingness to push boundaries and challenge the norms of fashion and beauty.
The debate continues as to where the line should be drawn between fashion as an art form and the responsibility it carries in promoting healthy and attainable standards of beauty. As Kardashian’s latest Met Gala appearance shows, that conversation is far from over.