Date: c. 1962
Origin: United States
Fabric: Plastic and wire
Brand: The Leister Game Co.
A novelty gift set comprising of plastic and wire pasties and a merkin in the style of figleaves. It’s unlikely these were ever intended to actually be worn on the body, as the paper leaves are flimsy and the attached wire stalks relatively sharp.
The printed text on the outer cover of the gift box states ‘For Milady who never has anything New to wear/by Adam …gifted designer with a sublime understanding of feminine charms’, with the text accompanied by the illustration of a fully clothed woman. The interior box mirrors this image, with the clothing now removed and replaced with illustrated figleaves. The accompanying text on the box interior is framed by illustrations of apples and includes the phrases: ‘Easy to clean… needs little or no ironing’, ‘You can dance all night in your Adam original’ and ‘Have fun in this exciting Adam creation’. The biblical allusions in the branding are clear (the designer’s name ‘Adam’ and the figleaf motif), and are clearly intended humorously.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
