May-September 2007

Imagine being a superhero and having a splendid choice of wardrobe. Giorgio Armani and Conde Nast together made possible a walk-through of every superhero’s dream closet for any occasion. Of course, it wasn’t really a closet, but an exhibit at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The much-anticipated, celebrity-studded, invitation-only (mine got lost in the mail) exhibit’s opening gala had the likes of George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, and so the list goes on.

I was a very lucky gal to have been in my absolute favorite city in the world to see the exhibit with my very own eyes. Beyond the massive entrance of the Met, nestled beyond the Greek artifacts, was a fashion oasis ready to be explored my moi…and hundreds of others. It was the first day of the public opening, so all the die-hard fashionistas of NYC had shown up, as well as many young boys. That’s the odd mix of crowd you get when you mix comics and fashion.

Who is the most famous superhero? I would have to say Superman strikes a cord with everyone: The quiet office worker who has much more to offer than to push a pencil, the awkward love story with Lois, a crime-free New York City, the nostalgia of the 1950s–somewhat happier times than now, I suppose.

Superheroes in general are a fantasy in themselves by being physically fit, strong, possessing super powers, and being smart and valiant. As Giorgio Armani says, “Fashion, like the superhero, allows you to dream and escape into a world of unfettered imagination.” The connection with fashion is when you have to dress this super body and still be able to fly, jump, and twirl (maybe not twirl). There are many different sorts of superheroes, and they were on display. Let’s go through them. I know somewhere in the world a comic book geek is reading this and is not embarrassed to get in touch with his feminine side of fashion. You can come to…

We start with Moschino, redesigning the Superman ensemble with a giant “M” instead of an “S”. It’s hard not to think the “M” or even “S” is the beginning of logos among superheroes. You have to say Superman was smart.

Moving on to Spider Man, another hero in NYC, Thierry Mugler’s 1997 Spring Couture “Spiderwoman” dress was on display right next to Toby Maguire’s actual Spider Man suit. Perfect for date night. What do Spider people do on dates? I wonder…

The Aerodynamic body portion had an impressive Hussein Chalayan blush pink fiberglass and metal shift dress from his Spring 2000 collection. Although that would not be my choice of dress for kicking a villain’s ass, nonetheless it is a beautiful dress. Speaking of kicking ass, I would wear the polka-dot hooded body suit from his Fall 1995 collection. I wouldn’t have to do anything but stand there and spin. The polka dots would make my opponent dizzy. I like that.

Dior’s Patriotic displays were a little garish. I suppose it was intentional, especially with Coke cans in the model’s hair. Is that what the world thinks of the USA–flashy people who drink Coke? Actually, it’s not that far off, thanks to Paris Hilton. The Bernhard Willhelm display from his Spring 2006 collection was more the underlying truth of America in its state today–a gas-masked model with grey, faded, and ripped stars and stripes. The ensemble echoed a post-apocalyptic USA. I really don’t want to wear that outfit, so let’s change US environmental and foreign policies pronto, please…Mmmkay?

Gas masks and industrialized materials consisted of the Virile Body collection. John Galliano’s vision included a Mad Max-style bodysuit complete with built-in urinal (who has time to piss when you’re saving the world, right?) and S&M undertones with black leather headgear with a metal bar to protect your mouth. Alexander McQueen’s vision was shown in his Spring 2005 collection of what looked like a Japanese football player from the waist up and punk Geisha from the waist down. Very interesting that Mr. McQueen chose an aggressive American sport as a theme to go along with a very polite, reserved culture. Although, the silhouette of a football player is much like the Hulk. Either way, a look that can’t be mistaken for something futuristic.

The Paradoxical Body included designs by Thierry Mugler, the French designer who incorporates corsets in almost all his designs, and for good reason: it just is so flattering on almost every woman. His designs echo a fetishistic dominatrix quality that would make any male villain or superhero melt. “Paradoxical body” meaning exaggerated parts of the female form. Among the ensembles was Michelle Pfeiffer’s costume for Catwoman from Batman Returns–a glittering, gorgeous, sleek-gartered corseted sheer body suit embellished with thousands of beads and sequins. Also on display was Thierry Mugler’s Fall 1996 black shiny cat suit, made famous by Madonna in her video, “Human Nature.” Dolce & Gabbanna’s vision of a catwoman was a gladiator-like black cape with crystal encrusted knee and elbow pads, as well as a mask. Meoooow!

The Armored Body was my absolute favorite. Why, you ask? Because the lone ensemble that beckons my giddy high school days was displayed three feet away. Thierry Mugler’s Fall 1995 metal and plastic armored body suit with the essentials exposed…well, you would probably go to jail for indecent exposure, but well worth it! I remember seeing this incredible robotic costume in the pages of Vogue and vowed that one day, if I become an international singing superstar, I would wear this…like, everyday. There it was in all its glory, the same costume featured in George Michael’s “Too Funky” video. Breathtaking!

In the same category, Robert Downey, Jr.’s costume from Iron Man was co-mingling with other Thierry Mugler female robotic ensembles. Dolce & Gabbanna’s version was a beautiful mini dress in shy silver leather with pannier hips. Marie Antoinette would have approved. And of course, Giorgio Armani’s 2008 sci-fi version of the armored body was translated into a gunmetal knee-length dress with humongous shoulders. An unexpected design from a usually conservative designer. For fans of copper plating, Balenciaga’s Spring 2007 metal copper leggings are the way to go.

The Mutant Body focuses on superheroes that morph to their environment or feelings. The star of this portion was a Thierry Mugler Fall 1997 Couture gown, constructed of glass and feathers placed on the dress as iridescent scales of a sea creature, but with human hair sprouting from the ends of the dress and sleeves. Just a gorgeous piece, and actually very wearable. Another standout was Thierry Mugler’s corseted Spring 1997 Couture dress with a pannier hip and a sheer full-length skirt flocked with feathers.

Alexander McQueen’s interpretation of the mutant body came from his Fall 2007 line, with a scaly gold body suit and a gold chest plate. For X-Men fans, Rebecca Romijn’s blue rubber appliqués for Mystique are also on display.

The last portion was the Postmodern Body, signifying the “dark terror of our contemporary world.” Again Thierry Mugler impresses with his Spring 1992 famous motorcycle corset as seen in the George Michael video, “Too Funky.” Airbrushed with flames, the corset comes complete with its own rear view mirror and handlebars. But the most fitting ensemble was by Alexander McQueen—a Winter 2001 deconstructed knit dress with a skull and cross bone. A gritty look at a future not too far away, it seems, with the way the world is going.

The wrap-up of the exhibit included a comic book fan’s dream displays of rare vintage comic books from Batman, Iron Man, and The Hulk, to name a few. Just perfect for this summer’s Hollywood movies!