Designer Hugo Boss creates 'paper' suit. (fashion designer Hugo Boss' design of suit made of paper)

'Tyvek' nonwoven used in non-traditional segment

Shades of the 60's. In a flashback to the days of the paper dress - the origin of nonwovens according to many accounts - fashion designer Hugo Boss has teamed with pop artist James Rosenquist to recreate a new version of what Mr. Boss calls "the legendary paper suit" made famous in the 1960's by Mr. Rosenquist. The creation of the new paper suit represents a continuation of the company's long-term global collaboration with the Guggenheim Foundation.

The paper suit (shown at right on Mr. Rosenquist and on this month's cover) was introduced in March at the Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin - a joint venture between Deutsche Bank and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation - in conjunction with the opening exhibition of Mr. Rosenquist's latest work, "The Swimmer in the Econo-Mist." Made of DuPont's 'Tyvek' material, the suit was made in both tan and black. As part of a special promotion, Mr. Rosenquist signed and numbered a small quantity of the suits, which were auctioned off for charity. The first sold for $1500.

According to legend, the paper suit originally came about because Mr. Rosenquist spent every night out in the 1960's and by 1966 had rented so many tuxedos that he decided to have one made. He liked the 'paper suit' idea, but could not find any company to make one for him. He did convince the Kleenex Company to provide the paper, which he took to a couturier who created a white paper suit. Mr. Rosenquist reportedly wore the suit about eight times, mainly to gallery and museum openings.