item details
Name"The Souper Dress"
ProductionUnknown; manufacturer(s); 1966-1967; United States
Campbell Soup Company; commissioner; United States
Campbell Soup Company; commissioner; United States
Classificationdresses, miniskirts
Materialspaper, cellulose, cotton
Materials SummaryMachine sewn dress made from colour printed, paper-like material made from 80% cellulose and 20% cotton
Techniquespapermaking, colour printing, machine sewing
DimensionsApproximate: 813mm (length)
Registration NumberGH015796
Credit linePurchased 2007
Overview
This iconic garment is an excellent example of 1960s youth fashion inspired by the Pop Art movement. The dress is meant to be 'throwaway' fashion in that it was made of a type of paper. Its design was inspired by Andy Warhol's classic artwork featuring the repeating image of the label from a Campbell's Soup can.
The 'Souper Dress' was produced in 1967 by the manufacturer of Campbell's Soup who gave it away for the price of two soup labels and $US1. In its styling it represents the classic mini popular at the time but more importantly it represents an excellent example of the intersecting of fashion, art and commerce - the essence of Pop Art.