A Dummy’s Guide to Mannequins
There’s no doubt that using a mannequin is akin to a silent salesperson for fashion. It is a great solution to defining a look and bringing the comment ‘I bet it looks better on, than it does on the hanger’ to life.
There’s no doubt that using a mannequin is akin to a silent salesperson for fashion. It is a great solution to defining a look and bringing the comment ‘I bet it looks better on, than it does on the hanger’ to life.
Cut, fit and how a fabric feels really are crucial elements in dressmaking, so displaying how a new outfit should hang, styled and coordinated with other clothing can provide the simple visual reality to prompt purchasing.
There are an abundance of full and half body, torso and hanging body forms to choose from. So when making your choice, decide first on your main preferences while making the case for the best option for your requirement.
Key points to consider:
• Do you want to display male, female or children’s clothing?
• What is the age group of your shoppers, so do you require a particular dress size, style or colour for the mannequin display? Or what mannequin finish is on-trend with that age-group?
• Does skin tone have to be reflected or is a more abstract choice more appealing?
• How much space do you have for this display?
• Does this then determine whether you need a full body or dummy forms and sections?
• Are you going to be transporting your mannequins anywhere?
• What types of attire will you typically be dressing?
• Decide on poses and positioning, are you creating a theme which determines whether the mannequin(s) would be sitting, standing or in action?
• Will you use your mannequin in a window display and if so, how much room do you have, and what is the layout of the set?
• Do want to invigorate personality with facial features, add wigs and other accessories or rather be less characteristic with a faceless or headless version?
With these factors in mind here’s a run-through the ranges and types of mannequins on offer.
Full Body, Male, Female and Child Mannequins
Available in a range matt and gloss finishes with high-quality moulding and metal or glass bases. Often made from either plastic or fibreglass the most popular colour tends to be white, yet not far behind is a realistic skin tone option or more contemporary grey or black. There is also a range of fun metallic options, from chrome to pale gold and from pewter to dramatic copper red, as well as removable-faced mannequins. These give the ability to change the face finish from silver to gold whenever you wish. All have movable limbs and the collections include a choice of posing, sitting standing or headless variations. More abstract and sleek features can offer a great solution if you are thinking to use for a variety of campaigns. Providing a more non-descript facial persona can be the answer to a changing target age group, perhaps most useful across larger department stores or vintage shops.
Traditionally they’ve become synonymous with the display of items such as sportswear, swimwear and lingerie. This is mainly due to their space-saving and restricted focus qualities, taking the consumer eye straight to the point of sale.
Accessible in a range of legs, hips, busts, head, feet or hand sections. What is so great about these mini-mannequins is that they can be located on countertops or tabletops. Use these cute figurines to hang and sell clothing accessories and other smaller fashion products. So while your customers purchase is being packed, here’s created a fantastic opportunity for the impulse-buy.
Torsos tend to be lightweight and easy to move around, making them ideal for transportation and for displaying anywhere temporarily. An ideal photography prop alternative for fashion ecommerce stores to get your new stock live and online quickly and in a presentable manner.
Generally made from robust plastic with a study metal hanging hook, these headless body forms are perfect for market stalls and trade fairs or space-restrictive boutiques. They usually come in either a shoulder to thigh section or bust versions. Best used for displaying shirts, blouses, lingerie, swimwear and upper body attire.
For more information and display ideas please call 0800 834 782 or email our expert Customer Service team.
Image by kind permission of Breakburn