Sappi combines packaging and fashion

Sappi Fine Paper Europe is to make a bold statement at its first appearance at FachPack by using high-end packaging materials to create a paper gown.

The dress weights 15kg and is constructed using 280 packages and 320 tea bags. Tea bags were created using 80g/sq m paper and constitute the blouse of the gown. The crinoline was comprised of small boxes made from heavier 160g/sq m paperboard, average size boxes using 270g/sq m paperboard and larger containers using 330g/sq m paperboard. A fabric base was made for the gown and the packages were individually sewn on, arranged like scales.

It will be fitted on a display mannequin and shown on Sappi’s stand at FachPack 2013, taking place in Nuremberg, Germany in late September.

Marie-Ange Gérard, marketing communications specialist at Sappi Fine Paper Europe, said: ‘The concept for this unique gown was created by the Belgian agency Equation with whom we have worked for more than a year.

‘We chose the Brussels workshop of artist Isabelle de Borchgrave, universally known for paper garment creations for museums and other entities. The outcome is an exquisite and totally revolutionary demonstration of the quality and flexibility of Sappi packaging materials.’

Equation’s creative director Marc Weymeers said: ‘The special paper know-how of the Sappi group and its capacity to manufacture paper to meet the specific needs of its customers led us to the couture concept and the term “tailor made” emerged throughout our discussions.

‘Since we are in the business of packaging, why not imagine a packaging paper gown? It would be made of paper and board, but its texture would consist of packages in various forms.’

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