RRRIPP!! Paper Fashion

RRRIPP!! Paper Fashion explores the history of paper as a clothing material; its social, cultural and historical significance.

Originated as research project into the use of paper in clothing, the exhibition’s main core is constituted by a spectacular selection of authentic disposable dresses of the 60s owned by ATOPOS, one of the most complete collections of this kind in existence.

As something in between a fashion item and an advertising medium, Paper Fashion was exploited by commercial companies and the media to promote their products.

Dresses’ simple 2-D shape was ideal for the bold graphic of product advertising and even for candidates’ logo during 1968 Presidential elections.

Artists also became interested in the phenomenon and used the A-line paper dress as a canvas for their creations, thus elevating paper garments to the

status of works of art.

The exhibition features iconic examples from the Swinging Sixties such as the Souper Dress (1968) after Andy Warhol, the Universal Studios “Big Ones” dress of 1968 and the Poster Dresses by American graphic designer Harry Gordon.

Particular emphasis is given to the ephemeral, fragile, and humble nature of paper garments, juxtaposing contemporary creations with rare paper clothing from different cultures and historical periods.

In line with the sprit of recycling and “do it yourself” aspect attached to paper dresses in the 60s, contemporary artists and fashion designers are commissioned to work using duplicates from the collection.

Alongside historical and modern paper dresses the exhibition also presents new experimentation with paper-like materialsuch as Tyvek.

Visitor attendance

Venue City and Country

Number of Visitors

The Benaki Museum1 Mar – 29 Apr 2007

Athens, Greece

17,000

Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean

11 Oct 2008 – 2 Feb 2009

Luxembourg 22,004

Mode Museum - MoMu

6 Mar – 16 Aug 2009

Antwerp, Belgium

33,377

Museum Bellerive30 Apr - 1 Aug 2010

Zurich, Switzerland

8,024

Benaki Museum, Athens1 March – 29 April 2007

Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean,

Luxembourg11 October 2008 – 2 February 2009

ModeMuseum, Antwerp, Belgium6 Mar – 16 Aug 2009

Museum Bellerive, Zurich30 April - 1 August 2010