The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has an upcoming exhibition titled “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy“.
It is described as follows:
Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
May 7, 2008-September 1, 2008
Special Exhibition Galleries, 1st floor
This exhibition will explore the symbolic and metaphorical associations between fashion and the superhero. Featuring movie costumes, avant-garde haute couture, and high-performance sportswear, it will reveal how the superhero serves as the ultimate metaphor for fashion and its ability to empower and transform the human body. Objects will be organized thematically around particular superheroes, whose movie costumes and superpowers will be catalysts for the discussion of key concepts of superheroism and their expression in fashion.The exhibition and its accompanying book are made possible by Giorgio Armani.
Additional support is provided by Condé Nast.
It appears that a book is also due out this summer, per Amazon.com:
Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications) (Hardcover)
by Harold Koda (Author), Andrew Bolton (Author), Michael Chabon (Introduction)List Price: $50.00
Book Description
From Wonder Woman’s satin stars and golden bracelets to Batman’s brooding cape and mask, the style of superheroes’ dress has influenced both street wear and high fashion. This richly illustrated book explores how radical couture, avant-garde sportswear, and state-of-the-art military garments-as seen through the lens of the superhero-can be metaphors for sex, power, and politics. Beginning with the origins of the superhero costume, this volume looks at how designers have been influenced by iconographic components such as the cape, mask, boots, and unitard. Costumes, such as those worn by Batman and Catwoman, are examined as reflections of sexual and physical prowess, while others, most notably those of Superman and Captain America, are analyzed as political propaganda.Superheroes also explores superpowers and their manifestations–literal, symbolic, or metaphorical: Flash’s speed, Iron Man’s invulnerability, Hulk’s strength, and Spiderman’s agility are presented in their fantastical evocations. Featured designers include Pierre Cardin, John Galliano, Azzedine Alaia, Giorgio Armani, Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, Nicolas Ghesquiere, Jean Paul Gaultier, Comme des Garçons, and Walter van Beirendonck.
About the Author
Harold Koda is Curator in Charge and Andrew Bolton is Curator, both at The Costume Institute , The Metropolitan Museum of Art. They are coauthors of Chanel (2005), Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the Eighteenth Century (2006), and Poiret (2007).Product Details
* Hardcover: 192 pages
* Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art (June 28, 2008)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 0300136706
* ISBN-13: 978-0300136708
Thanks to Adam for the heads-up.
Jason De Bord