By Eric Fairbanks

The mannequin is the centerpiece of any successful clothing display, and rightly so. Nothing shows off the cut, fit, and fabric like a three-dimensional form. Sales figures reflect this; Torso forms sell more bras, while butt forms boost sales of briefs and panties. So let’s take a closer look at the anatomy of a mannequin (from the Middle Dutch “maneken” meaning “little men”).

According to some, the first dress forms, the antecedents of the modern mannequin, date back 3000 years. Dressmaker and tailors used forms (a form is a headless mannequin) for fitting and storage purposes—it was only in the mid-1800s that they were used to actually display clothing. These rudimentary forms were fashioned from wood and, as far as realism goes, were as far from the incredibly lifelike fiberglass models of today as we are from Cro-Magnon Man. With the evolution of window displays, the role of mannequins and forms in retail has only grown.

Be Careful What You Buy
Mannequins can be quite expensive—a new fiberglass mannequin will run from $150 for a low-end import to $350-$400 for a mid-range fashion model to $1,000 for an exclusive European line. Before you purchase a mannequin, assess whether a much cheaper headless body form or mannequin (typically $100-$150) might fit the bill. If you are limited on space, consider a wall-mounted form. Keep in mind that as with much in Life, you get what you pay for. Cheaper mannequins don’t drape fabric well or look as compelling as high-end models and may not last as long.

“Most mannequins you’ll see are made of fiberglass, which is fairly durable, light, and renders a very lifelike appearance.”

Most mannequins you’ll see are made of fiberglass, which is fairly durable, light, and renders a very lifelike appearance. It’s also moderately priced. Other typical options include expanded polystyrene (indestructible, cheap, light, not realistic) and urethane (expensive, very durable, lighter, fair realism).

Where Do You Buy Mannequins?
The high-end units appear in showrooms in New York and LA. It may be hard to buy individual pieces from these manufacturers because they are looking for high volume department store buyers. The next step is dealers. They will feature low-end to mid-range mannequins. Most online catalogs carry the same units because they are buying from the same import companies. Some dealers import their own and have relatively exclusive lines. Look hard at their selections. Avoid stilted poses and faces with odd make-up.

Care and Feeding

• To get more mileage out of your mannequin, you can buy different wigs to change the look of your display without having to purchase another model.
• Clean your mannequins frequently. Use toothpaste or baking soda and water for the tougher smudges. Make sure your hands are clean when handling mannequins.
• If you need to store your mannequin, wrap it in cloth or bubble wrap, taking special care to protect the face and hands.
• When placing mannequins in high-traffic areas, where patrons might bump them, elevate them or place an unobtrusive barrier around them.

Window Dressing: Mannequins on Display
Use your mannequin to tell a story. Set up a tableau in your display window that features the mannequin in a realistic situation. Mannequins by their nature engage and intrigue. While the potential customer might or might not be interested in the product displayed, they might be convinced to walk in.

Just like an anchorman, every mannequin has a “good” side. Position the mannequin or the light source to take advantage of this. Mannequins can yellow in sunlight, so, if possible, keep the mannequin in the window display shaded. Use your best mannequins in your window display and as they “tire” move them over to the floor display.

Ever dress a sleeping child? Try dressing a mannequin. Fortunately, a mannequin has detachable limbs, but it can still be a long process, especially for the unpracticed. You will probably need help the first time. As you might imagine, sitting or reclining models require a degree in theoretical physics to dress. Along those lines: a wide-legged mannequin might not be able to accommodate pants or jeans; if you are to buy just one mannequin, get one with its legs together for versatility.

I, Mannequin: Current and Future Trends
Consider your customer and how they look. Americans are getting bigger, and though while we all might aspire to the Parisian catwalk ideal, the customer wants to see how the clothing will look on him/her. Your mannequins should follow suit. Plus-size female mannequins (size 14) are becoming more and more popular as a result (the standard female mannequin stands 5’11” and wears a size 4 or 6). Ethnic mannequins might match your clientele more closely than the typical Northern European model. Illuminated mannequins lit from within are also catching on, and will energize any display. But if you are really looking to stay ahead of the pack, take a look at one of the new very pricey moving mannequins.

Given their price and importance to any clothing display, approach your next mannequin purchase armed with as much information as possible. Hopefully, this article will, in some small part, aid your buying decision.