Medical, military,  window dressing and retail are all reasons that lead to the birth of a mannequin. While the true origin of the mannequin remains unclear, according to some scholars mannequins first emerged in the 15th century when people used miniature mannequins (milliners) for fashion displays. But, it was only in the mid-18th century that full-scale mannequins came into use. Tailors quickly began to use mannequins as an economical alternative to a live model.

Today mannequins play an important role in Visual Merchandising, from displaying merchandise and attracting customers to increasing sales. Visual merchandising courses thus focus on teaching students effective ways to handle, dress and display mannequins for better marketing. 

The Evolution Of Mannequins

The history of the mannequin, how they evolved, and how they mirror the society of its time— is fascinating.

Mannequins have been used for various purposes over the years; CPR/first aid dummies, and fashion dolls, and were even used as test dummies to demonstrate and test the effects of nuclear weapons in the 1950s. Initially, mannequins were made from paper mache and later wax and plaster were used to make mannequins more sturdy and durable. Modern-day mannequins are available in a wide variety of materials, plastic and fibreglass being the most common.

15th – Mid 18th Century

In the 15th century dressmakers used milliners’ mannequins, a type of miniature doll, to demonstrate their dresses and the latest fashions to wealthy clients. 

As commercialism progressed as a result of human development, the mannequin embraced its new transition. Fashion stores began to use mannequins to display their products and demonstrate the latest fashions. As there were more female buyers than males, stores began to increase female-body mannequins on display. Soon mannequins were used to embody the “ideal” female figure of that time. 

19th Century

The 19th century witnessed the transition of a mannequin from a headless doll to a complete human figure doll. 1900 introduced mannequins with pinched-in waists and had heads with hair, glass eyes, and false teeth. These were showcased in the windows of department shops and stores in the streets, transforming the shop-front into a performative space.

With the onset of World War I, women began to undertake industrial jobs, which prompted alteration in women’s fashion for greater practicality. The formal, big-busted, straight-laced Victorian style was replaced with the boyish, easy-going, androgynous flapper style. 

As women’s clothes became more practical, mannequins followed suit. Mannequins unlace their corsets, shed their hats, and expose ankles and knees. They had a straighter, slender figure with a flat chest than a Victorian mono-breast figure. Mannequins had movable limbs and became more relaxed. They wore glasses or grew hair to create realistic portrayals.

1940-1960

During the Great Depression, women began to take a more conservative approach towards fashion. Oval faces, high cheekbones, and hourglass figures became vague at that time. Mannequins soon mirrored these features. They were given a small waist, full bust, and round hips. 

As US consumerism boomed in 1950, mannequins became essential for centrepiece displays and retail window shopping. Thousands of lightweight mannequins were manufactured to meet this demand. Mannequins become more uniform in size and shape across the country, embodying the ideal body figure of that time.

Following the sexual revolution, mannequins in the 1960s were made to embody the changing beauty standards. Nipples returned to showcase braless fashions. This period also marks the “supermodel” era. High-fashion mannequins were made to mimic the facial and body features of celebrities. Stick-thin figures reigned supreme during this period. 

1970-1990

As opposed to 1960s glamorous mannequins, petite and faceless mannequins were introduced in 1970, which later gained popularity on runways in the 1990s.

The 1980s mannequins also emerge with more realistic, toned features as opposed to the unhealthy attitude to body image of the 1960s. By the end of the 1990s, plus-sized models emerged representing a more accurate size and shape of women. However, there were no mannequins that represented plus-size women. 

Modern Mannequins

Embracing the diversity in structure, composition, technology and design, the modern mannequin is truly at its highest artistic peak. Modern mannequins radiate positive light by bringing in diverse shaped and sized figures, allowing shoppers who once felt alienated to feel included. 

Today’s mannequins are modern, abstract, and visually attractive in design with positive body movements. Stores now display a mixture of different-sized mannequins to showcase modern clothing and fashion and reflect the changing mood of society. Shapeless mannequins, cone heads, jewellery encrusted, celebrity look-alike, or transgender mannequins, the modern mannequins ideas are limitless. 

Today mannequins come in all kinds of shapes, styles, sizes, genders, races, designs and so on. Big, small, short, tall, classic, neo-modernist, futuristic, Occidental or Oriental, mannequins have travelled time and evolved to reflect the perception of the human figure and its beauty in a certain period. While it’s uncertain how mannequins will further evolve in time, we can all appreciate the fact it’s a never-ending fascination.

Mannequins play an important role in any retail store. Shoppers like to see clothes adorned on these unspeaking models to showcase the latest fashion trends. Many retailers use mannequins as a storytelling vehicle to quickly show customers what is stylish and how outfits can be put together. At times, this also helps shoppers picture how certain clothes will fit without the need of going into the dressing room.

Thus using mannequins for merchandising and marketing is simple and effective. Mannequins help communicate the theme, fashion and attitude of the store to customers while boosting sales. 

Learn Effective Visual Merchandising With Mannequins

Using mannequins is one of the most effective methods of visual merchandising. You can use mannequins to personalize items for your consumers and showcase the best merchandise in-store to attract potential buyers. If you are interested in visual merchandising, join one of the best fashion technology course to learn the art of using visual techniques to boost sales.

JD Institute Of Fashion Technology offers one of the best visual merchandising courses to help you get equipped with the knowledge and skills to become a Visual Merchandising expert. In this course, you’ll learn how to create effective store layouts and create an inspiring customer shopping experience to achieve a good customer flow throughout the store. Visit JD Institute to start your class.