The ensembles will be arranged by each specific superhero, with the corresponding outfit setting the tone for each theme. Among them, Superman and Spider-Man serve for "The Graphic Body" theme, with the curators using the "S" chevron to explore designer logos; Batman and Catwoman and their tight PVC looks embody "The Fetishistic Body," while Wonder Woman's red, white and blue ensemble represents "The Patriotic Body." Other themes are "The Aerodynamic Body," "The Mechatronic Body," "The Mutant Body" and "The Postmodern Body."

"Another theme is 'The Phallic Body,'" Bolton explained, of the Hulk-related looks. "In our eyes, Hulk makes an effective metaphor for male potency. When soft, flabby Bruce Banner gets excited, he swells up...so clothing-wise, there will be inflatable garments that emphasize an exaggerated musculature."

Koda added: "We're discovering that the evolution of the superhero also relates to an increasingly conceptualized approach by fashion designers. The easiest to understand is the Hulk. It's not green big suits, but dealing with the idea of clothing that expands on the silhouette."

Michael Chabon, author of the superhero-themed novel "The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay," will write the introduction to the show's accompanying book, which is being published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and distributed by Yale University Press.

"The ideas or themes that inherently are part of the superhero vocabulary are identical to the fashion vocabulary," Bolton said. "There is this idea that this superhero is transformed into a new person through fashion, which is really what fashion is about."

Bolton and Koda have their own ideas for the types of attire they hope for at the big benefit gala.

"When you look at Margiela's spring collection, it's the minimalist superheroes," Bolton said. "It's all beiges, but catsuits and capes. It's a really wonderful nod to the superhero. I am hoping people will look at the iconography and play on that."

Koda, for his part, is anticipating "lots of bodysuits with big overskirts and capes. And there's 'The Fetish Body' [theme], so I am hoping for lots of those."