
Three looks from the exhibit. From left: Bernhard Willhelm, spring and summer 2006; Jean Paul Gaultier, spring and summer 2003; John Galliano for Christian Dior Haute Couture, spring and summer 2001, Wonder Woman Collection.Photos: Willhelm and Galliano courtesy of Chris Moore; Gaultier courtesy of firstVIEW
Fashion mirrors the superhero’s obsessive preoccupation with the ideal body, signaling changes, both subtle and obvious, in prevailing standards of perfection. […] Fashion, like the superhero, celebrates metamorphosis, providing unlimited opportunities to remake and reshape the flesh and the self.
After the jump, a sampler of the exhibit’s looks from Thierry Mugler, Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, and more, plus a brief explanation of the superhero inspirations behind them — just in case you need to impress a random dude (or your little brother). —Jessica Coen

From left: Alexander McQueen, fall and winter 2007–2008; Giorgio Armani, spring and summer 1990; Thierry Mugler, fall and winter 1997–1998.Photos: McQueen courtesy of Chris Moore; Armani by Jacques Olivar, courtesy of Giorgio Armani; Mugler © copyright Patrice Stable
For those of you keeping track, McQueen’s and Mugler’s designs are considered inspired by the mutant body (superheroes like the X-Men), while Giorgio Armani’s is another graphic-body-inspired look.

From left: Thierry Mugler, fall and winter 1996–1997; Dolce & Gabbana, spring and summer 2007; Thierry Mugler, spring and summer 1992.Photos: Mugler, both © copyright Patrice Stable; Dolce & Gabbana courtesy of Chris Moore
Superhero translation: The Mugler at left is a paradoxical body, which is inspired by Catwoman — a superhero who was both a “good” and a “bad” girl. Dolce is an armored body. At right, Mugler is a postmodern body, inspired by superheroes more typical of graphic novels than of traditional comic books.

From left: Thierry Mugler, fall and winter 1995–1996; Gareth Pugh, spring and summer 2007; W. & L.T. by Walter Van Beirendonck, spring and summer 1996.Photos: Mugler courtesy of Chris Moore; Pugh courtesy of firstView; Van Beirendonck courtesy of Walter Van Beirendonck archive
And your final superhero scorecard: Both Mugler’s and Gareth Pugh’s looks are considered armored bodies, while Van Beirendonck’s is a virile body, inspired by a superhero who was the “embodiment of hegemonic masculinity” — the Hulk.