Shop Mannequin is one of the most popular and successful retail display devices in history. For centuries, they have assisted store owners and managers in bringing their clothing and other displays to life. Mannequins are those silent sales people that show off the latest and greatest without bugging the customers, and with a little brain, they can be the most effective sales staff.
There is an abundance of mannequin types in the world of merchandise. Men, ladies, children, and even animals are created in mannequin form as well as any variety of body sections. Necks, heads, legs, hands, and just torsos are used for accessorizing or specific clothing display. Though any of these mannequins can spice things up, the right mannequin design, as well as professional merchandise placement, will put mannequins to use in a whole new way.
It is most important to emphasize the merchandise in a mannequin display, unless of course you own a mannequin store. However, the obvious need for a merchandise focus is of little value without a creative setup. The types of mannequins, the pose, the hair, the skin color, and every feature of a mannequin display must reflect the category or style of merchandise on display.
Mannequins displayed in a formalwear store or department should have conservative and elegant poses, and should most likely be sleek and artistic in design, while those in a sports category can be partial forms or full body mannequins in active poses. Female, sporty mannequins need short hair or ponytails, and the body forms should appear fit and muscular.
Just because a mannequin is used, does not always mean that it will be cheap regardless of where you purchase it from. Similar to buying automobiles, some mannequin brands hold their value because of their superior craftsmanship, design and established brand name. Just as a used Rolls Royce or Mercedes will cost more than a brand new Toyota, there are some brands of mannequins that are expensive even though they are used.
A brand name mannequin with realistic features can cost between $750-$1300 new. If a used one is 50% off, it will still cost more than brand new no-name mannequins imported from Asia which retail between $250-$400. Brand name mannequins cost more because they are actually fiberglass sculptures of real life humans and many of the steps involved in creating them are done by hand.
Sculptors usually begin with a metal skeleton, bend it into a pose and build it up with clay. The clay figure is then cast as a mold to hundreds of identical fiberglass mannequins. The mannequin is passed through the hands of at least a dozen artisans, from sculptors to sanders to painters and this level of detail is why high end mannequins look so lifelike and their solid construction makes them more durable.
Less expensive knock offs, made in Asia are made by machines and resemble life-size dolls. Instead of looking fluid they have stiffer looking poses. They tend to break more easily if they fall and many of their joint fittings are made out of plastic instead of metal like the more expensive brands. Sometimes they do not hold up well under the hot sun if they are in a store window. These are best used for online vendors or people who use a mannequin occasionally.
If you are looking to buy a Rolls Royce or Mercedes caliber mannequin on the used market, here are some brand names to look for: Adel Rootstein, Patina V, New John Nissan, Hindsgaul, Ralph Pucci, Greneker and Goldsmith. Usually – but not always – mannequins produced by these companies will have their company name stamped somewhere on the mannequin bottom of the foot, or on the butt or back, even on the head.
There are a few other factors that can drive up the price of a used mannequin. Since the majority of mannequins in retail stores are in a standing position, a mannequin that is in a seated, reclining or athletic pose is highly sought after and the demand outstrips the supply. Also Asian or African-American mannequins as well as plus size mannequins are scarce in general, so a used one in good condition will command top dollar.
A few mannequin manufacturers (Rootstein and Patina V) have produced limited edition mannequins that were fabricated after real-life supermodels or entertainers. When these mannequins are no longer in production it increases the value of used ones. Another mannequin company – Ralph Pucci -commissions well-known artists and designers such as Maira Kalman, Jeffrey Fulvimari and Anna Sui to design a line of mannequins for them. Since these mannequins are popular as art pieces in addition to being a vehicle to display clothing, they can sell close to their original price of $1,100.
If a used mannequin has all its parts, but they are broken or damaged, a skilled mannequin refurbished can bring them back to life. If there isnt a mannequin refurbished in your city, you can find one online and then ship the mannequin part to them. The company that we work will give us a rough estimate of the repair cost when we email them digital photos of the broken part so we can determine whether or not it is worth it.
Typically the first thing that gets damaged on a mannequin is their hands, which is why you so often find used mannequins for sale with missing hands. Even if all the fingers on the hand are broken as long as there is at least a stub attached to the wrist – there is a good chance that the hand can be repaired by the mannequin refurbished. But if there are no hands at all, it is extremely difficult to find a replacement hand online. If you are lucky enough to know the name of the manufacturer of the mannequin, you might be able to purchase a hand from them directly if the mannequin is still in production.
The reason why it is so hard to find replacement hands is because there is not a universal standard in the device that attaches the hands attach to the arms. Some hands have a round fitting, some are square, some have a keyhole shape and each of these shapes come in different sizes.