Metallic Paper Dress

Description:

This gown was produced by Mars of Asheville and part of “The Wastebasket Boutique” collection. During the late 1960s, paper dresses were released by the Scott Paper Co. as a marketing gimmick but also a tongue-in-cheek critique of the increasing consumption of single-use paper products. After Scott Paper sold a half a million dresses in eight months they called it quits, which created opportunity for the producers of this gown, Mars of Asheville. This hemless gown allows for the wearer to cut the dress to any desired length and promises to make you the “conversation of any party.” Research by Livia Caligor ‘21, with more information on her blog, “Paper Fashion in the 1960s: The Genesis of Fast Fashion,” on blogs.cornell.edu/cornellcostume (March 17, 2018).

Attribution:

Mars of Asheville

Date:

Late 1960s

Collection ID:

CCTC #2005.41.01

Notes:

Gift of Susan Greene