This month has not only brought superhero mega flicks to the theater, even The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum has opened “Superheroes Fashion and Fantasy” in their galleries. Superhero comic books led me to my fashion career learning to illustrate the figure from my favorite action scenes. Of course I fantasized having superhuman powers, but the concept of a secret identity really interested me. One of favorite interpretations came from Rossella Jardini for Moschino depicting a Clark Kent look-a-like model unbuttoning his shirt exposing his Superman Moschino crest. A very clever styling concept to give excitement to a beautifully tailored traditional gray flannel suit.
Walking through the installation, I considered the differences between the artist’s reality verses authenticity of the actual human scale finished work. In our reality, the details, materials, execution and textures become important instead of the viewer’s leap of faith participating in the action filled illustrated pages. The gallery, separated into 8 themes gave context to the individual hero’s influence on culture and fashion. The fashion industry is a disposable business constantly moving on to new trends and concepts every season. The exhibition highlights another dimension to designs that may have recently been presented on the runways and given a new view within the installation’s mission statement. Favorites included Balenciaga’s futuristic 2007 Spring collection under “The Armored Body”, Dior’s Catwoman interpretation for “The Paradoxical Body”, and everything from Bernhard Willhelm expressing Captain America’s “The Patriotic Body.” Under the “Graphic Body” grouping Spiderman was much more sexualized in his translation using cobweb laces and embroideries by Armani and Galliano.
Beyond the visual influence, the exhibition underscores superhero worship to achieve the idealized human form, discuss the sexual fetishistic sub-context, and the gradual evolution of futuristic advancements cloaked in the street and active mainstream.
