Little known fact: Former West Asheville-based hosiery company Mars of Asheville put this WNC town on the map in the mid ‘60s with super-trendy paper dresses. A fore-runner in the disposables industry, Mars got its start with mod, graphic throw-away shifts.
The Groovy Garb exhibit, on display the Asheville Art Museum through Sunday, Oct. 7, highlights the paper dress’ rise and fall in fashion favor.
According to historians, the paper dress disappeared by the early 1970s, but in truth the pop-art phenomenon is here to stay. And not just as curio, exhibit or objet d’art.
Local designer R. Brooke Priddy will lead a clothes-making workshop using paper similar to that manufactured by the Mars Corporation. The paper dress-making event (for adults and teens 14 and up) is be held at the Asheville Art Museum on Sunday, Sept. 16, from 1-5 p.m. After the garments are completed, workshop participants can partake of a wine and cheese reception and fashion photo shoot.
$25 for AAM members, $30 for nonmembers. Advance registration is required. Info: 253-3227, ext. 120.
— Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
