Contemporary Photographs

Contemporary Photographs

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 77. HARRY GORDON | 'POSTER DRESS' (BOB DYLAN).

HARRY GORDON | 'POSTER DRESS' (BOB DYLAN)

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.