Contemporary Photographs
Contemporary Photographs
Auction Closed
September 27, 03:27 PM GMT
Estimate
1,500 - 2,500 USD
Lot Details
Description
HARRY GORDON
1930-2007
'POSTER DRESS' (BOB DYLAN)
screenprinted tissue, wood pulp, and rayon mesh dress with a velcro fastener at the upper right strap, with printed 'POSTER ® DRESS' label inside center back neckline, 1967
Approximately 33 by 24 in. (83.8 by 61 cm.)
Issued at the height of the paper-clothing craze of the late 1960s, this wearable, disposable paper dress, designed in London by Harry Gordon, was originally marketed at just $2.98. These fashion-forward dresses were packaged in sleeves with the following printed instructions: ‘Wear’em, wash’em […] Toughness is woven into the non-woven fabric for long, l-o-n-g wear, and should you tire (which is doubtful), just cut open all the seams and hang it on your wall as a poster—or cover pillows, use as curtains, tablecloth etc.’ The paper dress fad was short-lived. Ill-fitting, easily-stained, and flammable, these garments were not as practical as they were fashionable.