Couchdashian: How Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Dress Became a Meme Sensation

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Kim Kardashian’s Met Ball gown has sparked its own meme, and it’s very wittingly called “couchdashian.”

The Internet has been harsh on Kim, comparing her to different versions of “your grandma’s couch.” But maybe Riccardo Tisci, the designer behind Kim’s garishly floral-printed gown, was the harshest, as he was the one who made Kim go to her very first Met Gala dressed in it.

Kim Kardashian at the 2013 Met Gala: Wearing a meme-inspiring floral Givenchy gown, dubbed 'Couchdashian' due to its upholstery-like printKim Kardashian at the 2013 Met Gala: Wearing a meme-inspiring floral Givenchy gown, dubbed ‘Couchdashian’ due to its upholstery-like print (Credit: Joel Ginsburg / WENN / Caroline Torem Craig)

What’s worse was that this year’s Met Gala had a punk theme, and this old and dated floral print couldn’t be any less punk, even with the eyelet and lace-up details:

Detail Focus: A close-up of the eyelet and lace-up details on Kim Kardashian's Givenchy fall 2013 floral-print gown, an unexpected choice for the punk-themed Met GalaDetail Focus: A close-up of the eyelet and lace-up details on Kim Kardashian’s Givenchy fall 2013 floral-print gown, an unexpected choice for the punk-themed Met Gala (Credit: Joel Ginsburg / WENN / Caroline Torem Craig)

Or does Kim wearing this un-punk floral-print gown to a punk-themed event make her a rebel? Does dressing up in an outfit that’s the antithesis of punk make someone ‘punk’?

Joined by Kanye West at the 2013 Met Gala, Kim Kardashian wore a floral Givenchy dress that sparked memes comparing it to couch upholsteryJoined by Kanye West at the 2013 Met Gala, Kim Kardashian wore a floral Givenchy dress that sparked memes comparing it to couch upholstery (Credit: Bill Davila / Startraksphoto)

Maybe we’re reading too much into this, so let’s return to fashion, which is always fun. Instead of shunning couchdashian, we’re going to embrace it. We went looking for ten designer dresses with couchlike floral prints to show that Givenchy isn’t the only one doing it and perhaps to prove that Riccardo Tisci didn’t set Kim up.

We’ve arranged the photos so you’ll see the print first and then how the designer used it on a dress second. You’ll see that couchlike floral prints aren’t all that bad! Just a final thought: wouldn’t it be funny if “couch couture” became a thing?

1. J. Mendel offers a dramatic take on the couchlike floral print

An opulent display of floral mastery, this strapless gown by J. Mendel makes a dramatic statement with its vibrant couch-like printAn opulent display of floral mastery, this strapless gown by J. Mendel makes a dramatic statement with its vibrant couch-like print

2. Dolce & Gabbana makes a sofa print ooze sexiness

This sexy Dolce & Gabbana bustier dress features a lush floral print that gives a nod to traditional sofa upholsteryThis sexy Dolce & Gabbana bustier dress features a lush floral print that gives a nod to traditional sofa upholstery

3. Carolina Herrera gets couch couture

Carolina Herrera elegantly captures the essence of couch couture with this floral jacquard dress featuring a voluminous skirtCarolina Herrera elegantly captures the essence of couch couture with this floral jacquard dress featuring a voluminous skirt

4. Tacky vase print + couch floral print = Roberto Cavalli genius

Roberto Cavalli combines a classic vase print with a floral couch motif in this uniquely designed racerback dressRoberto Cavalli combines a classic vase print with a floral couch motif in this uniquely designed racerback dress

5. Monique Lhuillier oversizes and refines the couch floral print

Monique Lhuillier redefines sophistication with this structured dress adorned with an oversized, refined couch floral printMonique Lhuillier redefines sophistication with this structured dress adorned with an oversized, refined couch floral print

6. You wouldn’t dare sit on this divine Stella McCartney print

Stella McCartney's "Fletcher" dress, featuring a divine floral jacquard design, reimagines what it means to wear a bustier dress inspired by upholsteryStella McCartney’s “Fletcher” dress, featuring a divine floral jacquard design, reimagines what it means to wear a bustier dress inspired by upholstery

7. Dolce & Gabbana designs a saturated yet sexy sofa print

With saturated hues and a sexy silhouette, this Dolce & Gabbana floral print dress turns a sofa-inspired print into a fashion statementWith saturated hues and a sexy silhouette, this Dolce & Gabbana floral print dress turns a sofa-inspired print into a fashion statement

8. Couches will be the last thing on people’s minds if you wear this Erdem gown

Erdem's long dress showcases a refined floral print that elegantly drifts away from traditional couch associationsErdem’s long dress showcases a refined floral print that elegantly drifts away from traditional couch associations

9. Christopher Kane brings fab florals to a fit-and-flare dress

Christopher Kane brings fabulous florals to the forefront with this fit-and-flare dress, breathing new life into couch-inspired printsChristopher Kane brings fabulous florals to the forefront with this fit-and-flare dress, breathing new life into couch-inspired prints

10. Dolce & Gabbana makes beautiful things out of a seemingly ugly fabric

This Dolce & Gabbana dress masterfully ruches a seemingly old-fashioned fabric into a beautiful, contemporary designThis Dolce & Gabbana dress masterfully ruches a seemingly old-fashioned fabric into a beautiful, contemporary design