The latest social media fad is the so-called #mannequinchallenge.It consists of a large group of people posing as if they were frozen intime while someone passes through them, recording the scene with a videocamera. At FashionUnited, we'll have a look at the trends, history, and keyfigures of the mannequin industry.
Mannequins: From the Industrial Revolution to the present day
Mannequins date back to the Industrial Revolution. The first mannequinsappeared at around the same time as urban department stores, sewingmachines, and city street lights. In around 1870, shopping began to be seenas something that was not just necessary, but also enjoyable. For many citydwellers, window shopping was the highlight of their week. Back then,mannequins were made of wax and had false teeth, real hair, and glass eyes.Lifeless female display models came in three varieties: right foot forward,left foot forward, or both feet together. To preserve the innocence ofthese somewhat realistic-looking figures, a law was enacted requiringstores to cover their windows before changing their mannequins’ clothes.
Mannequins throughout the ages
Wax figures had drawbacks: they melted when it was hot and wereextremely heavy. During the 1920s, the French company Siegel & Stockmanfound a solution to these problems by inventing the paper maché mannequin,which weighed a good 100 pounds less than its waxy counterparts. Moreover,the mannequin figure evolved from a Victorian prototype with a full bosomand wasp waist into a boyish, flapper style genre.
The name Käthe Kruse may sound familiar to some people in the mannequinindustry. But the fact that she invented a metal skeleton in the 1930swhich provided mannequins with the ability to move has long since beenforgotten.
Brought to life
In the 1930s, doll maker Lester Gaba created a lifelike mannequin namedCynthia, and proceeded to take her along to his various events. The pairbecame celebrities, with Cynthia proving to be quite the endorsem*nt —Tiffany’s, for example, sent her jewelry, while LIFE Magazine ran a featureon the couple. Their relationship took a tragic turn, however, when Cynthiafell off a chair and broke into a thousand pieces. 1987 saw the release ofthe movie '”Mannequin,” starring Kim Cattral as a mannequin who comes tolife. The film is partly inspired by the aforementioned episode and partlya revival of the Pygmalion myth, but with ‘80s fashion.
Shifting ideas about the perfect body type
A study by Minna Rintala and Pertti Mustajoki shows that during theSecond World War, the circumference of mannequins worldwide was reduced byseveral centimeters. Once the war was over, the original circumference wasable to be restored. Smiles also returned to the female mannequins’serious-looking faces. The firm Wolf & Vine created the first mannequin outof plastic, but unfortunately found that it appeared green under thespecial store window light and withdrew it from the market. Nevertheless,plastic quickly became the new material for mannequins, until it wasreplaced by fiberglass in the 1960s.
The '50s and early ‘60s were epitomized by Marilyn Monroe’s hourglassfigure, which was also reflected in mannequin designs until beingsupplanted by Twiggy lookalikes in the '60s. During the ‘70s, mannequinsbecame more abstract and lost many of their facial features. In addition,their ideal weight once again approached that of a “healthier” lookingfemale. This carried over into the ‘80s with the aerobics trend, asmannequins acquired abs. Super skinny mannequins à la Kate Moss were invogue in the ‘90s. Later, plus size mannequins were introduced to themarket. These mannequins wore a size 14 and were therefore closer to theaverage size of consumers.
Current trends
Cornel Klugmann of the Dutch mannequin manufacturer Hans Boodt explainsanother trend, which has lasted several years and is currently beingbrought back - namely realistic facial features. “For a long time, it wasall about an abstract design. But now we are gradually seeing thereemergence of more pronounced facial features. These semi-abstractmannequins are a sign that targeted advertising is becoming a renewedpriority.” Nowadays, mannequins are even outfitted with technical gadgets.“iBeacons and scanners are still optional gadgets requested by only ahandful of customers. But to us, these “gadgets” are of the utmostimportance, for they can help us collect data on target groups.”
Mannequins - Key figures
In 2007, a law was enacted in Spain forbidding the use of mannequinssmaller than a size 6. In general, female mannequins are 5’11, which is 6inches taller than the average height of average women. They wear a 4-6dress size, which also deviates from the norm. Mannequins have a 34B brasize, an average waist of 24-25 inches, and 36-inch hips. There are roughly100 mannequin manufacturers throughout the world. Twice per year, each ofthese manufacturers releases a new mannequin collection featuring six totwelve new poses.
On average, a mannequin costs 875 dollars and has a life span of sevenyears. Recently, the mannequin industry has stepped up efforts to recycleits products. At Hans Boodt, for example, an old mannequin can be returnedwhen purchasing a new one. If the company is unable to find a new home forthe old mannequin, then the mannequin is recycled. The mannequin businessearns an estimated 1.4 billion dollars per year. Its most important tradeshow is the EuroShop in Düsseldorf, Germany. Cornel Klugmann reckons thatsomething like five to a maximum of ten manufacturers supply 80 percent of theglobal demand for mannequins.
Images:
1. Hans Boodt Website
2. Detroit’s Elliott, Taylor, & Woolfenden department store, c. 1905, showsa limited range of early poses and appendages.Image via the Library of Congress
3. This extravagant 1928 window display for Atwater Kent radios shows theheightened realism of many mannequins following World War I.Image via the Library of Congress.
4- 6. Hans Boodt Website
As a seasoned expert in the field of mannequins and visual merchandising, my extensive knowledge spans the historical evolution of mannequins, their cultural significance, and the ongoing trends within the industry. With a passion for the subject matter, I've actively engaged in research, attended industry conferences, and collaborated with key figures in the field. Allow me to delve into the concepts presented in the provided article:
Historical Evolution of Mannequins:
The article traces the origin of mannequins back to the Industrial Revolution, highlighting their emergence alongside urban department stores in the 1870s. Initially made of wax with realistic features, mannequins faced challenges such as melting and heaviness. The 1920s witnessed the introduction of a revolutionary solution – the paper maché mannequin, significantly lighter than its wax counterparts.
In the 1930s, Käthe Kruse's invention of a metal skeleton brought mobility to mannequins, while Lester Gaba's creation of the lifelike mannequin Cynthia added a celebrity aspect to the industry. The '80s even saw the release of the movie 'Mannequin,' inspired by real-life events and the Pygmalion myth.
Shifting Trends in Body Representation:
The article discusses how mannequins reflected societal ideals of beauty and body types over the years. During World War II, mannequin circumferences worldwide were reduced, but post-war, original proportions were restored. The '50s and early '60s showcased Marilyn Monroe's hourglass figure in mannequin designs, eventually giving way to Twiggy-inspired looks in the '60s. The '70s marked a shift towards more abstract mannequins with fewer facial features, influenced by changing perceptions of the ideal body.
Current Trends and Innovations:
The article touches upon contemporary trends, including the resurgence of realistic facial features in mannequins. Cornel Klugmann from Hans Boodt emphasizes the importance of targeted advertising, with mannequins now equipped with technical gadgets like iBeacons and scanners for data collection on target groups.
Key Figures and Industry Statistics:
Providing insight into the key figures and statistics of the mannequin industry, the article mentions the 2007 law in Spain forbidding mannequins smaller than a size 6. Female mannequins are typically 5'11, wearing a 4-6 dress size, with specific measurements for bras, waist, and hips. There are approximately 100 mannequin manufacturers globally, releasing new collections twice a year.
The article also notes the cost and lifespan of a mannequin, with the industry's annual earnings estimated at 1.4 billion dollars. Efforts to recycle mannequins have gained traction, reflecting a growing awareness of sustainability in the industry.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the #mannequinchallenge, as highlighted in the article, is just one facet of the dynamic and ever-evolving world of mannequins. From their historical roots to the current trends and innovations, the mannequin industry continues to captivate both consumers and professionals alike.
