The social media icon once again triggered all forms of media hype over another celebrity bling event after she adorned an iconic cross necklace coming from the treasury of Princess Diana. The necklace, which costs about $200,000 was seen adorning the neck of the now-dead Princess of Wales during the charity gala at the very prestigious London event back in 1987. Revisiting the necklace which she had finally decided to wear has re-ignited debate over Kardashian’s continued practice of taking and wearing items that belonged to famous women in history. Following her very public appearance, wearing Marilyn Monroe’s famous “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress at the 2022 Met Gala, the choice on social media has been in mixed reaction.
This is a very symbolic necklace because of its bold design and deep purple color, showing that Princess Diana was always bold and willing to make a statement. She was a fearless fashionista and used the cross as an emblem of her individuality and independence, not being dictated by the expectations of royalty. Most critics say that this decision made by Kardashian was not right, as it belittles the history and the importance attached to the legacy of the late Princess. Such criticism comes from fans and fashion enthusiasts who believe that such pieces, especially those associated with beloved figures, should be preserved rather than repurposed as fashion statements.
The reality star is reported to have acquired the necklace via private auction. Sources close to her say that she always had a fascination with how Princess Diana dressed. People in social media are taking a jab at her every motive, saying, “From Marilyn to Diana, it is next what?” Her choices of dressing have come to be labeled as a form of disrespect and celebrities exploiting historical artifacts.
Advocates for Kardashian argue that she is only paying homage to these legendary women by showcasing their legendary pieces to wider audiences. They say she is actually bringing renewed attention to pieces of fashion and their legacy. Still, the backlash brings to light the much larger cultural debate over the line between homage and exploitation, especially when dealing with items of historical significance.
Part and parcel of Kim Kardashian’s polarizing career is the controversy surrounding the cross necklace she borrowed from Diana. This either is an act of reverence or insensibility that unquestionably nipped the public up and breathed life into some discussions about the power of influence when celebrities take it to the streets and start getting concerned about cultural legacies.
