NEW YORK - Medieval armor wasn't just a means of protection; it was also a fashion statement.

That idea is one of the themes explored in a new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which showcases armor used more than 500 years ago by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian, known as the last knight.

The suits are elaborate. One of them is made of steel, copper and leather, and it comes with metal boots pointier than anything you'd see on a fashion runway today.

"It's not convenient for walking, however you can still walk with them," said Metropolitan Museum of Art curator Pierre Terjanian. "But you have to remember that these important people were on horseback. They were typically riding and that didn't stand in your way."

The suit is one of more than 180 items on display from around the world.

The show aims to explain how Maximilian used his elaborate armor as a public relations tool to help craft his image and amass power.

"He saw himself as continuing the work of the Roman Caesars," said Terjanian. "And he also thought that what he would accomplish would resonate for centuries to come. He was not just interested in public opinion in the moment. He was interested in the opinion that would be shaped after his death."

During Maximilian's time, men were required to wear armor in the event their help was needed to protect against enemy invasion. Maximilian was said to be particular about his own armor, giving strict instructions to armor makers about what his suits should look like.

"He had more armor made to be given as gifts than to be worn himself," Terjanian said. "This was one of the most coveted things you could hope for if you're a nobleman in Europe at the time."

In many ways, armor is still considered special, especially for people looking at it for the first time.

"There is an element of surprise, there's an of element disbelief and there's an element of bewilderment, which is deeply satisfying to me because it means there is curiosity," said Terjanian. "Why would one wear that? What was is supposed to accomplish? Did it function?"

The exhibition opens Monday, October 7th and lasts through January 5th.