Kim Kardashian was initially denied the use of Marilyn Monroe’s dress

Believe it or not, Kim Kardashian was first told she could not bear Marilyn Monroe‘s iconic dress for the Met gala … but the museum holding the work changed its mind after Kim did the work.

A spokesman for Ripley’s told TMZ … Kim’s team reached out a few months ago after examining the dress.

They met in March for an adaptation, but it did not go well – both Kim and Ripley’s representatives were not happy with how it suited her, and the museum refused to use it. Remember, the dress is 60 years old, so the fabric and seams had to be handled carefully.

Determined to make it work, we are told that Kim returned to Ripley a month later, after losing weight – one reported 16 pounds – and it fit better.

As for the Met Gala carpet, Kim wore the actual dress to go and take pictures, but then changed into a replica of the actual event inside – and returned AND to Ripley’s.

You might think Ripley’s would have asked for a rental fee … but we’re told instead that Kim is making 2 donations to organizations in the Orlando area on behalf of the museum.

The dress is shown again from Memorial Day, this time at Ripley’s in Hollywood, California … along with other accessories she paired with it at the gala.