Bits of Paper Dress History
Interested in finding out more about paper dresses, I went on a search for articles and images exemplifying this historical fashion. These hardly are representative of a brown paper bag dress, a resource I want to use, but rather these 1960's wearables lean toward art.
The first entry is about a paper dress of a Bob Dylan Image, the URL address is to a UK e-commerce site, listing this dress for sale. Since it is an e-commerce site, I'm including the address you can copy and paste into a browser window if you want to visit the site: 991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=317848
The next entry is from Consumer Reports - Vintage Items
Paper dress, 1966
The last entry for today is from the Ashville Art Exhibition called Groovy Garb
The Event was in 2007 but I have added the entry in full, simply because of the proper credit attribution.
Groovy Garb: Paper Clothing from Mars Manufacturing Company
I
n 1966, Scott Paper Co. introduced disposable clothing as a promotion gimmick with a sleeveless shift selling for $1.00. It was so shapeless that it recalled a paper bag. But for a country now accustomed to throw-away cups, plates, napkins and diapers, paper clothing seemed a logical next step. Scott sold 500,000 dresses in eight months, and the strong response had other manufacturers and designers joining the paper chase.
By 1967, Mars Manufacturing Company of Asheville was the nation's leading producer of paper dresses, selling 80,000 to 100,000 a week. From its basic A-line shift, the company expanded its line to include bell-bottom jump suits, evening gowns, aprons, men's vests, children's dresses and even swimming trunks. The rage for paper lasted a short time and by 1974 it was already passé. At that point the Mar's Manufacturing Company began experimenting with other uses for paper clothing and eventually developed a successful line of disposable garments to be worn in factories and hospitals. This exhibition will explore the clothing made by the Mars Manufacturing Company.
The exhibition is organized and curated by the Asheville Art Museum. This project is sponsored in part by Mr. & Mrs. Robert T. Bayer.
EVENTS
Friday, July 13, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Opening reception
July 20, Friday 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
ARTMOB - Groovy Patio Party & Film
Image Credit:
Mars Manufacturing Co., Inc. of Asheville, NC, The Paper Keyhole-Neck Dress, circa 1968, 80% cellulose, 20% cotton, Size 12-14
Mars Manufacturing Co., Inc. of Asheville, NC, Package Insert for Cap sleeved Dress, Number 106 from the "Aste Basket Botique", 1967, paper. 8 x 11 inches. Courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Bayer.
As a closing note, using brown paper bags for a dress has great appeal to me. The paper can be softened by squirting water on it, crumpling, drying to just damp, and ironing dry. Repeating that process does give the paper pliability. I'm knee deep in running my business, but one of these days I will wade out and rumple brown paper into a dress.
— Viktorya
The first entry is about a paper dress of a Bob Dylan Image, the URL address is to a UK e-commerce site, listing this dress for sale. Since it is an e-commerce site, I'm including the address you can copy and paste into a browser window if you want to visit the site: 991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=317848
BOB DYLAN Paper Dress (Stunning original 1966 UK Paper Dress manufactured by the Scott Paper Company in non-woven fibre. It features a large black & white portrait of Dylan from Blonde On Blonde period. The dress is unmodified, undamaged and unworn, having been preserved, folded, in immaculate condition for almost forty years. See 'more info' for further background on this amazing rarity...)
The next entry is from Consumer Reports - Vintage Items
Paper dress, 1966
The Paper Caper, a wear-it-once dress from the Scott Paper Co., is rather sloppily made; the "fabric" is not very strong; and the printed color has a tendency to rub off when it gets damp. You do receive discount coupons for Scott products with your purchase.
The last entry for today is from the Ashville Art Exhibition called Groovy Garb
The Event was in 2007 but I have added the entry in full, simply because of the proper credit attribution.
Groovy Garb: Paper Clothing from Mars Manufacturing Company
I
n 1966, Scott Paper Co. introduced disposable clothing as a promotion gimmick with a sleeveless shift selling for $1.00. It was so shapeless that it recalled a paper bag. But for a country now accustomed to throw-away cups, plates, napkins and diapers, paper clothing seemed a logical next step. Scott sold 500,000 dresses in eight months, and the strong response had other manufacturers and designers joining the paper chase.
By 1967, Mars Manufacturing Company of Asheville was the nation's leading producer of paper dresses, selling 80,000 to 100,000 a week. From its basic A-line shift, the company expanded its line to include bell-bottom jump suits, evening gowns, aprons, men's vests, children's dresses and even swimming trunks. The rage for paper lasted a short time and by 1974 it was already passé. At that point the Mar's Manufacturing Company began experimenting with other uses for paper clothing and eventually developed a successful line of disposable garments to be worn in factories and hospitals. This exhibition will explore the clothing made by the Mars Manufacturing Company.
The exhibition is organized and curated by the Asheville Art Museum. This project is sponsored in part by Mr. & Mrs. Robert T. Bayer.
EVENTS
Friday, July 13, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Opening reception
July 20, Friday 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
ARTMOB - Groovy Patio Party & Film
Image Credit:
Mars Manufacturing Co., Inc. of Asheville, NC, The Paper Keyhole-Neck Dress, circa 1968, 80% cellulose, 20% cotton, Size 12-14
Mars Manufacturing Co., Inc. of Asheville, NC, Package Insert for Cap sleeved Dress, Number 106 from the "Aste Basket Botique", 1967, paper. 8 x 11 inches. Courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Bayer.
As a closing note, using brown paper bags for a dress has great appeal to me. The paper can be softened by squirting water on it, crumpling, drying to just damp, and ironing dry. Repeating that process does give the paper pliability. I'm knee deep in running my business, but one of these days I will wade out and rumple brown paper into a dress.
— Viktorya
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