Following Kim Kardashian’s controversial wearing of Marilyn Monroe’s gown for the Met Gala in May, Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) confirmed today that they had denied a request from the star to wear the storied jacket of Julius Pierpont “J.P.” Patches’ for an upcoming red-carpet event.
“MOHAI follows rigorous industry guidelines which don’t allow for garments to be worn once they enter the museum collection,” said MOHAI Lead Curator Tessa Poplin. “It is our charge to protect J.P.’s jacket from damage, even if it is made of an unidentifiable mix of cotton and polyester rather than pure soufflé silk that, instead of 2,500 hand-stitched Swarovski crystals, just has a tattered gardening glove tacked to the back shoulder.”
J.P. is of particular interest to Kardashian who, despite having millions of social media followers, still hasn’t attained the level of fan devotion displayed by Patches Pals.
“Usually, I can merchandise or Photoshop my way out of a problem,” said Kardashian. “But, like, the museum is being super-rude and dramatic about not letting me wear this jacket just because J.P. Patches didn’t have double-Ds and I do.”
The jacket is currently off-display, stored in a climate-controlled environment and packed with acid-free tissue paper. According to museum records, it underwent conservation work in 2012, although the conservator did have trouble determining what counted as damage and what was original to a garment worn by the Mayor of the City Dump.
Following the museum’s denial, Kardashian is reportedly attempting to find a local private collector willing to loan an authentic Wheedle on the Needle costume.
