My Spidey Senses are Tingling....

In 1962, Stan Lee came up with a story about a young geek named Peter Parker who gets bitten by a radioactive spider while on a school trip to the science museum and discovers that he has acquired a couple new powers, including superhuman strength, extrasensory perception, and the ability to climb up walls. Now the story is taken in a new and creative direction as as Julie Taymor’s long-delayed rock musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, with songs by U2’s Bono and the Edge, opens on Broadway in January.  Taymor designed most of the masks herself, but for costumes, she turned to Eiko Ishioka, a 1988 Tony nominee known for her bold, graphic style a flair for the dramatic.

The following is a photoshoot spread by the acclaimed Annie Leibovitz that she recently did for the December issue of Vogue with the stars of the new Spider-Man Broadway, combining actual costumes with gorgeous designer gowns worn by Mary Jane, played by Jennifer Damiano.  Enjoy!

For Spidey’s signature skintight suit, Ishioka’s version evokes the aerodynamic uniforms she designed for the 2002 Canadian Olympic speed skaters.

Alexander McQueen red printed silk chiffon bustier dress.

Dior Haute Couture red-and-violet hand-painted satin organza dress.

Marchesa black-and-white hand-painted crinoline ball gown.

Marchesa sculptured sapphire satin-faced organza ball gown.


I'd climb a wall for that third dress, no spider bite necessary.


xo Amber