5. Mannequins Flashcards
Mannequins
the importance of a mannequin
- The selection of a mannequin is one of the most important professional decisions a display person will make
- A store’s most valuable asset
- A silent salesperson that will stand for hours, always smiling, fresh and pleasant, don’t have to pay, doesn’t take a sick day
- Does require love and attention though!
types of mannequins
Types of mannequins
Realistic Semirealistic Semi-abstract Abstract Cartoon/Caricature Headless
realistic mannequins
- Mannequins are becoming more natural, more true to life, and more like the people who shop the stores
- You can target a specific type of customer and portray store and fashion image through choice of: body type, pose, complexion, makeup and wig styles
choosing realistic mannequins
-Size/Body Type
Usually based on standard sizes and proportions
Bigger, more athletic and more muscular in America
-Pose
Erect -ideal for formal or tailored clothes
Bent arms and legs -for athletic or action clothes
Seated -for separates, casual wear, lingerie, active sportswear
Lying down -for nightwear, lingerie, swimwear, sportswear
-Complexion
Darker in areas that are sunnier
Variety of ethnicities to choose from
-Makeup & Wigs
More bold in fashion forward store, subtle in traditional store
accessories for realistic mannequins
- Removable wigs that add variety and change appearance
- Hard wigs -highly lacquered, cannot be restyled
- Soft wigs -emulate natural hair
- Glass eyes set into open sockets that can be moved
semirealistic mannequins
-Proportioned and sculpted like realistic mannequins with some element that is more decorative or stylized
*Makeup that is neither natural nor realistic
*No makeup at all
*All black or all white, or another color
*Hair that is part of the sculpture
The preferred type for male mannequins
semi-abstract mannequins
- Even more stylized than the semirealisticmannequin
- Its features (a bump for a nose or a hint of pursed lips) may be painted on or merely suggested
abstact mannequins
- The ultimate in style and decoration
- More concerned with creating an effect than natural lines and proportions
- No specific details
- May be finished to match a design scheme
- Sophisticated and versatile, can wear a wide range of clothing
- No wigs or makeup to style or change, built in shoes
- Crosses ethnic lines, no age limits
cartoon/caricature mannequins
- Attention-getters
- Oversized or cartoon heads set atop a normal-sized mannequin
headless mannequins
- Full-size body with arms and legs, no head
- Often a natural pose -may stand, sit or recline
- Offers no face, no personality, no image
- Works in windows where height is a problem
- Considerably cheaper -no makeup or wig issues
alternatives to the mannequin
- A good mannequin is expensive (especially for a small shopkeeper)
- It requires upkeep -paint, new makeup, new wigs
- Dressing mannequins takes time
- Can get visually boring if not moved or changed frequently
- Prevalent trend is away from mannequins, towards other forms
three-quarter form
- Has a body extending to the knees, and usually a head (no head is called a torso form) may or may not have arms
- Not as expensive as mannequins, but also not as effective in selling
other forms
Trunk form -starts above waistline, continues to knees (for shorts, underwear, swim)
Bra form -headless, armless form of bustline
Bust form -headless, armless form of bust and waistline (shirt form is male version)
Suit form -headless, usually armless, starts at neck and ends at hips
Pants form -waistline to feet
Panty form -waist to knees
Shell form -bust form with back scooped out
Pantyhose form -waist to toes
Stocking/leg form -in shape of a leg
soft sculpted figures
- Life-sized dolls covered in jersey-like fabric with little or no facial detail
- Can be shaped and positioned
- Hold and give shape to merchandise, but you really don’t see it
- Needs to be positioned properly and propped, pinned and secured in place
- Not as costly as mannequins
articulated artist’s figures
- Wooden or plastic figures with movable joints
- No age, personality, no ethnic quality
- Can used for a full outfit or accessories
cutout figures
- A silhouette cutout of wood or heavy board
- Clothes are pinned or accessories draped over it
- Provide little form to merchandise
- Garments can sag, or display person can stuff and fill garments with pads and tissue for form and roundness
- Trendy and avant-garde
- More of a boutique look
inflatables
- Life-size balloons that simulate parts of the human anatomy
- Stiff and rigid, lacking grace and beauty of body line
- Inexpensive
valet/draper/costumer
-Shaped hanger set atop a vertical rod supported by a base
-On some, skirt or pants can be clipped on under shirt
-Can show off a complete outfit
Some have abstract heads to add height and stature, or shoe platforms
hangers
- A simple hanger
- The shirt goes on first, pants are pinned to the shirt
- Padding can be added to limbs
- Wooden rods can be used as hangers
lay-down techniques
- Can be used on tables, on furniture, in windows, on ledges, in cases, pinned onto boards, walls or columns
- Requires basics of good composition
- If merchandise is soft and flowing, should be spread out -if hard and tailored, should be sharp and precise
pinup techniques
- Uses a panel, wall, or other vertical surface in order to pin, shape and dimensionalizea garment
- No form, mannequins or hangers used
- Garment is pinned to panel and tissue is added to fill out the garment
- The more animated and realistic the position, the better
- Displays humor and wit
flying techniques
- Merchandise is pulled, stretched and manipulated by means of fishing line, floats in the open space
- Provides an angular and crisp presentation
- Good for active sportswear, fun and trendy merchandise
- Works best for a line of merchandise (all sweaters) not an outfit
- Effective if main feature is pattern or color, not shape or form
dressing mannequins
Taking apart:
- Put on gloves or make sure hands are washed, make sure you are working in a clean area
- Remove wig and set aside (or put plastic bag over it)
- Remove the arms and then hands
- Remove torso from legs
- Remove legs from base
- Disconnect one leg
Reassembling
- Dress the lower half first
- Pull the pants over the attached leg and insert the free leg into the other pant leg
- Secure the detached leg and put the legs back on the base, button the pants
- Reattach torso to legs and place shirt over head onto torso
- Slide arms under shirt and back into place, reattach hands to arms
- Add wig back to head
- Clean off any scuffs, steam, style and accessorize garment
- Make sure to lift by the base when putting it back!
focus and customer attitude
- The more sophisticated and expensive the merchandise, the more abstract and nonrealistic the mannequin and merchandise presentation can be
- Popular or moderately priced merchandise should be displayed realistically and literally how it should be used and put together
