This nifty exhibit at the Asheville Art Museum comes just after Independence Day. Disposable clothes! Not such a thing in these days of sustainable living, but clearly a gem from the history of apparel. From the Asheville Art Museum:

In 1966 Scott Paper Company introduced disposable clothing as a promotional gimmick with a sleeveless shift selling for $1.00. It was so shapeless that it recalled a paper bag, but for a country now accustomed to throw-away cups, plates, napkins and diapers, paper clothing seemed a logical next step. Scott sold 500,000 dresses in eight months, and the strong response had other manufacturers and designers joining the paper chase including the Mars Manufacturing Company of Asheville.

The Mars Company quickly became the nation’s leading producer of low-cost paper dresses. From its basic A-line shift, the company expanded its line to include bell-bottom jump suits, evening gowns, aprons, men’s vests, children’s dresses and even bikini’s and swimming trunks. …

The rage for the paper dress peaked about mid-1967 and by 1969 it was fading from view as American culture changed. The youth market was becoming more serious and environmentally sensitive and on a fundamental level many of the paper fashions weren’t as comfortable as their cloth counterparts. Groovy Garb: Paper Clothing from Mars Manufacturing Company will look at many of the fashions made by the Mars Manufacturing Company and at the era that helped to produce them.

The opening reception for this exhibit is Friday, July 13. The ARTmob event for this exhibit is on Friday, July 20 with “Mojitos and a Movie,” where you’ll sip minty freshness and view the film about Barbie called I, Doll: The Unauthorized Biography of America’s 11 1/2″ Sweetheart.

Source/Image: Asheville Art Museum