Superheroes, Sartorially

As my final year at Smith wound down, I found myself counting down to a huge May event, no, not graduation but, the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s spring gala. Dubbed “The Party of the Year” by industry insiders, this event is the fashion world’s answer to the Oscars. Seeing as I prefer Fendi to films this event is definitely one of my favorite celebrity studded events of the year, besides the fall and spring fashion shows.

In years past designers such as Yves St. Laurent and Paul Poiret have been honored at the event and topics such as fashion and furniture in the 18^th century have been exhibited. According to the Museum’s press release, this year’s thematic exhibition “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy,” will explore the image of the superhero as “the ultimate metaphor for fashion and its ability to empower and transform the human body.”

The sartorial choices of the caped heroine are not only for those who want to blend into the night or attend a comic book convention. Designers are looking towards these purveyors of truth and justice as inspiration for their spring lines. Why else would Marco Zanini have caped dresses and jumpsuits stride down the Halson Spring 08 runway? Why else would Nylon magazine dedicate four pages to the debate on whether leggings are an appropriate alternative to pants?

As a person who is curious about leather and admittedly wears leggings outside the dance studio, I would love to take the chance to explore the look of my favorite heroine, Storm from X-Men.


Photos (left to right): gap.com, americanapparel.com, shopbop.com, bananarepublic.com,
http://www.devir.com.br/zero_2006/marvel_af/xmen_series1_storm.jpg

Storm, a lead heroine in the X-men series, is known for her trademark white hair and sleek form fitting costume in either white or black with gold/yellow accents. When taking fantasy fashion to reality is to keep the look referential, so even though her look may not be very flattering to mere mortals, we can take a key piece, the lacquered high waisted pants and recreate the Storm look.

Shirt: Gap, Special Edition Philip Lim ¾ sleeved tunic.
Legging: American Apparel, shiny high-waisted legging, in black eel.
Shoes: Opening Ceremony, lace-up sling back oxford pump.
Jewelry: Banana Republic, Mod hammered cuff.