The 2008 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala and exhibition, themed "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy," explored the symbolic and metaphorical connections between the two. Superheroes have become recognizable symbols of strength, influencing fashion designers and fans worldwide. Approximately 70 ensembles, from high-performance sportswear and iconic movie costumes to avant-garde couture looks spanning the decades, acted as catalysts to discuss key concepts of superheroism and their expression in fashion with Catwoman, Wonder Woman, the X-Men, and more inspiring designers, including Balenciaga, Armani, and Alexander McQueen, to Jeremy Scott, Pierre Cardin, and Nike.