Mannequins are widely used in trade and tailoring. The word itself means a copy of a human figure, used for trying on things. The different types allow them to be implemented everywhere.
Mannequins began to be introduced into trade on a large scale in the 18th century. The first copies were made from wood or papier-mâché. In the 19th century, the technology of making wax was invented. All these types had the main drawback - a short period of use at a high cost.
Not every store could afford such a figure in the store window. However, its demonstration had a positive effect on revenue. Trade in shops with a presentation of clothing was more successful.
In the 20th century, plastic began to be widely used in industry. There has been a revolution in the production of mannequins - they have become cheaper, more durable, and lighter. More attention was paid to appearance.
Almost all modern stores use various types of clothing mannequins in their trade.
All mannequins are divided into groups depending on the specific use.Regardless of this, they are male, female, children (boy and girl), repeating the shapes of people according to age and gender.
They can also be of different skin colors, with or without makeup, with imitation of hair on the head and face, etc.
Standard ones weigh up to 20 kg and repeat the “model” parameters. For women: height up to 185 cm, chest 90/waist 60/hips 90.
Humanoids are used in sewing. In tailoring it is easy to try on things, adjust them, grab them, sew them in, drape them, etc. The inside is hard, and the outside is covered with a soft elastic fabric cover.
You can make tailor's mannequins yourself or buy ready-made ones. In the latter case, the clothes will have to be adjusted directly on the person, because All figures are very individual. You can make a human-sized mannequin yourself within one day at low cost.
Tailor's ones are usually covered with black or white fabric. It is convenient for the seamstress to draw auxiliary lines (front length, waist circumference, etc.).
Sliding designs, which can be varied within 5-10 sizes, thanks to size-changing parts, are becoming increasingly popular among dressmakers. The cost of such copies is more expensive, but in the end the savings from buying one instead of several products are greater.
Different businesses require individual solutions. For sports stores and youth clothing, they use mannequins frozen in a dynamic pose (in motion, in a jump, in a headstand). Animal figures are popular in pet stores. There are copies of pregnant women. For the presentation of underwear, light-colored mannequins are made from high-quality plastic, without seams.
To demonstrate glasses, jewelry, gloves, and hats to customers, you do not need to use full-length figures. There are enough separate parts where the accessory is worn.
Thus, there are demonstration forms in the form of a head, neck, hand, etc.
Initially, the mannequin exactly replicated the human body. Gradually, a number of stores wanted to stand out among the many similar ones by ordering unusual shapes. In the windows of modern stores you can find figures painted in unusual colors; instead of a head there can be geometric shapes, instead of a face there can be the muzzle of a predator.
Shops with unusual figures emphasize individual style.
When testing a person's physical capabilities (in case of a car accident, when jumping from various heights), crash dummies are used. They may not meet figure standards at all, but the parts can withstand the same loads as the human body.
The average life of the product is 5 years. Inexpensive stores constantly restore them or replace parts, allowing the mannequins to last up to 10 years.
More expensive stores change mannequins about once every five years, ordering new ones that correspond to fashion trends.
The most expensive products are made from polymer resin with reinforced glass mat and mineral additives. Another name for fiberglass material. The figures are light, durable, and resistant to external influences.
Cheaper ones are made from gypsum, polyester, and plastic.
Production on an industrial scale occurs in several stages:
These four stages take up to five months of production work. Based on the finished form, their mass creation begins.
Features of production are determined by the material from which they are made. Mannequins can be puttied, rubbed, or painted. Artists and makeup artists work on the appearance.
The types differ in gender, race, materials of manufacture, and specific application. Everyone can choose a figure to suit their taste.
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