Crossing the Streams: Tim Gunn and Iron Man
Here at Crossing the Streams, we check out those moments when characters who don’t normally interact suddenly do.
Superhero fashion has been a hot topic of conversation for the past few years. From the redesigns of various outfits in the launch of the New 52 to the recent new costumes of Batgirl and Spider-Woman, form has been proven to be just as important as function to the members of the various superhuman communities. Tim Gunn, fashion consultant and mentor to the various contestants on season after season of Project Runway, discussed just this topic the time he crossed over with Iron Man.
Models Inc. #1 (2009) Variant Cover by Phil Jimenez
In a backup story found in the pages of Models Inc., a miniseries which dealt with some of the various fashion models in the Marvel Universe, Tim Gunn was seen leading a discussion of superhero fashion at the Janet Van Dyne Memorial Wing of the Fashion Museum. There, he showed off costumes from such heroes as various Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and even Captain America.
From Models Inc. #1 (2009) by Marc Sumerak and Jorge Molina
Things turned south when A.I.M., an evil organization bent on the overthrow of the government through technological means, suddenly decided to get in on the costume game. The heroes of the Marvel Universe have rather unique materials that they make their costumes out of and A.I.M. wanted to get their hands on them. Instead of, say, taking the risk of fighting the Human Torch in order to get a hold of his suit, it was easier to steal it off a mannequin guarded by Tim Gunn. Towards that end, they blew a hole in the side of the Fashion Museum and walked right in.
From Models Inc. #1 (2009) by Marc Sumerak and Jorge Molina
It could have been the heist of the century but for one small detail: Iron Man showed up. But this Iron Man wasn’t the best offensively and had a very distinctive way of talking.
From Models Inc. #1 (2009) by Marc Sumerak and Jorge Molina
Yes, this was Tim Gunn in an Iron Man suit that Tony Stark had donated to the Fashion Museum for use in the exhibition. For some reason, Tony sought fit to leave the suit semi-charged, allowing anyone who wore it to use it. Seeing the danger that A.I.M. posed to both the world at large and the world of fashion (yellow bee keepers outfits are never in style), Tim jumped into the armor and defended the costumes.
From Models Inc. #1 (2009) by Marc Sumerak and Jorge Molina
It’s a wonderfully weird and fun short story. Afterwards, Tim Gunn would never again don the Iron Man suit. Still, it’s nice to know that if Tony is ever out of commission, no one can get Rodney on the phone, and Pepper is on vacation, Tim Gunn can be called upon to help beat back the foes of justice, fair play, and tastefully coordinated color schemes.
