Mannequin or Model?

Which do you prefer?

Personally I like models but some and not all.

I have a terrible mannequin and need a new one but not sure what looks best.

I like the photos of ones with hands but no heads but do not know where to get one. I need hands for my vintage one and thought for sure I could find them but have not.

I need another shoulder plate like this one. It is about 4 inches across.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Graceful Shops on August 19, 2011 at 9:47am

I also need the hands that fit on the bottom photo. Of course right and left ladies hand.

The photo at bottom looks round but is oval. 1 5/8 by 2.0 egg shaped.

Sounds like follow the bouncing ball. Sorry.

Permalink Reply by Ruby Lane - Carol Augustine on August 19, 2011 at 12:06pm

Hi, As far as which type I really can't say. If I see something on either site "I" think looks good, I will post a photo. I am sure shops who use mannequins or models know better than I which ones are the best to use to display items than I.

I would like to share some dont's for using mannequins or models on RL/RP.

1) no ratty looking wigs

2) no naked boobies

3) worst than boobies is a naked lower half of the torso, if you have to leave the bottom naked, cut off the photo right above it

If there are any of the above in the photo we won't use the item for any type of marketing, ie Facebook, Featuring etc.

Carol

Permalink Reply by TheVintageMerchant on August 19, 2011 at 1:14pm

hello Graceful Shops!

i purchased my first dressmaker's mannequin back when i was in school (for fashion design), and used her as my model for many years. when i moved back to the mainland from Hawaii, I sold her, and bought another (with less pin holes!) from a seller on ebay. i've been very pleased with her, too.

recently, i found a fabulous display forms business, they sell new mannequins as well as second hand ones from stores who have "traded them in" for newer models. the store i go to is near our home in NC, in Raleigh; i'm sure there are many similar stores through out the country, most likely located near larger cities with more retail establishments.

i have a couple of friends who use mannequins missing arms and hands, and from a buyer's/business person's point of view? it really does not look professional, at all. a simple dressmakers form (with no arms or legs or a face to have to worry about) gives shape to a garment, and looks far more professional than a broken mannequin.

live models can be fine, but so many seem to think that "coy" or "sexy" poses sell, pushing their hips out at weird angles, or pouting or standing awkwardly...often times it detracts from the garment itself. (which if a person is selling an ugly dress/coat/top/whatever, then i guess that works to their advantage...)

i like to think of the successful acronym, KISS. Keep It Simple Silly!

clean, pressed. shown in good light. uncluttered background. no distractions.

and Carol, i TOTALLY agree, undressed torsos on mannequins is another very unprofessional and kinda creepy look; if you're shooting tops or sweaters or coats, be sure to have a skirt or jeans on the bottom half of the manni.

Permalink Reply by Out Of The Attic 2u on August 21, 2011 at 1:20pm

I really an dieing for a real mannequin. I do have an old dress form but I want one that looks real. I am dreaming big. They are soooooooooooooooo expensive. I asked my son-in-law if he comes across one to mail it to me. Fat Chance that is! He works in an exclusive shoe store inBal Harbour Fl even their garbage is clean.

Permalink Reply by Graceful Shops on August 22, 2011 at 4:17pm

I hope I find the hands from a purely vintage collector mode.

The shoulder plate I can probably pay someone to fabricate the plate for me I would think.

Permalink Reply by RC Antiques on September 8, 2011 at 1:05pm

I have enjoyed photographing my fashions and jewelry on mannequins since 1997, which is when I started selling on line.

I use the mannequins to show what the item will look like on a real person...it helps the viewer visualize the scale of the jewelry and so forth.

However, for full length fashions, I have found mannequins to be too difficult to photograph at the distance required to show the entire item.

So, I am re photographing my fashion one at a time, a little at a time, to present better.

I have realized many things since creating style boards for fun on Kaboodle.

First thing I realized was that clothing looks nice hanging on a hanger or dress form...so, although I will still use my mannequins, I will be using dress form much more instead of the mannequin, it depends on the fashion being photographed.

Next, clothing on models or people look nice, however, unless your look like a model and know how to wear model make up, I do not feel the photo will have that cutting edge professional appearance.

I do not think jewelry should ever be photographed on a person, especially rings. Hands do not photograph well, and so, does not do justice to the jewelry.

I have collected mannequins for years. I love them because they are life size dolls LOL.

However, old mannequins, no matter how beautiful they are, are very difficult to photograph due to the composition that covers the flesh tone mannequin.

The new mannequins are fantastic, but too tall..most are 5'8" , my goodness...too tall.

The best mannequins is around 1980, which is right before stores removed them for the display windows.

So, mannequins are well worth the investment if you sell hats, scarves, tops and jewelry.

And they are so much fun to photograph.

But, do not over look the dress form..I am amazed at how professional dress forms make a dress etc look.

Jewelry..well, you cannot top the look of a mannequin wearing jewelry, for jewelry, love my mannequins, they are the draw to the shop.

Glad I stopped in, I love mannequins, and have had the pleasure of owning more than just a few :-)

Best wishes, Linda

Permalink Reply by Swanky Selections on September 8, 2011 at 9:51pm

Hi-when I first started listing vintage clothing I made do with just a backdrop with the item hung in front. I lusted after all the beautiful mannequins I saw while stopping by other shops.

One day, my partner and I were walking down a street in the garment district of Toronto. In a window was a lovely mannequin but she was part of the display, so I was passing the door when my partner said "come on, lets go in".

Once inside he asked for the owner of the shop, asked if we could buy her, got a yes and a price---and lo and behold I had my mannequin that day!

I've used her a lot, she is most beautiful even if, when dressed in more casual garments, she looks a tad too sophisticated. I've dragged her to shows, in & out of my house, and dressed and re-dressed her too many times to count. She's starting to show some wear but doesn't complain.

I really like using her (her name is Allie) but as was pointed out, she's a tad tall for taking full length shots of say a floor length or formal gown. Also it's downright difficult to dress her in a pair of slacks say or a cullote type skirt. You almost need 2 people to wrestle her into that type of clothing.

So, I've decided to put Allie into sem-retirement, keep her for the very special garments that I have, and replace her with a dressmakers Judy. I like the way they look in pics, it sure seems a much easier way to display the clothes plus their look is so plain and unobtrusive that the clothes take center stage. One question comes to my mind, that I hadn't thought about till now, I guess a dress form would not be able to wear slacks either---hmmmm.

I mentioned to my sister that when she's at auction to keep her eye out for a Judy for me, and she said I could have the one she has when she's finished with it at the end of November. Isn't that great?, I didn't know that she even had one. Aren't I the lucky one to have such generous people in my life.

Cheers,

Barbara

I'll still use Allie all the time for hats, no one can handle a chapeau better than her.

Permalink Reply by RC Antiques on September 8, 2011 at 10:42pm

I loved your story Barbara.

You understand how much fun it is to dress mannequins...it makes the job of preparing photos for your shop more fun than a chore.

But, wrestling those mannequins are funny, been there, done that and your comments had me giggling.

It is after 10 P.M. and I was sound asleep when I realized I perhaps may not have wrote my opinion correctly.

So, I got out of bed to check, and lo and behold, there it was...I mentioned that unless one looked like a model, clothes should not be photographed on a real person.

I think that was very rude for me to say. And I'll tell you why. While surfing Ruby Lane a few weeks ago, I happened upon someone who used a live model for some of her clothes.

Although she was not a professional model, she really wore the clothes well. So, I can't remember which shop owner it is, only that the person in the photos had blonde hair..and I owe that shop owner an apology.

I can't remember what shop, but I do remember thinking it's the one time that someone modeled the clothes without hands out everywhere, or posing like a model...and the photos were nice.

So, let me try to correct my statement.

If one does not have a dress form or mannequin, and want to have someone model the clothes they are offering, do it simple. That shop owner did and it was done in good taste. Simple photos, no head to the side or looking coy LOL.

I do still stand by my statement about not using hands for jewelry such as rings or bracelets, hands, no matter how beautiful they maybe, just do not photograph well.

So, I hope my comments stand corrected...I honest to goodness write as my brain thinks, which is the same as when I talk, and that's not good..I'm sure everyone has heard the saying " I put my foot in my mouth "...yep, that's me..I think that's the saying LOL, like I say, I am not usually up after 10, but was sleeping soundly when my comment appeared in my head along with the image of that nice shop owner's photos.

Now, there's a place in NJ where I brought my best mannequins, used...he is a super fellow, and very reasonbable with shipping.

I will look for his business tomorrow when I am awake and post it on this thread.

Mannequin or not....good question

In my opinion, if you have a mannequin ( all you need really is the torso ) use the mannequin torso or whole mannequin for tops , hats and necklaces , earrings.

For dresses, coats etc, use a dress form or hang the clothes and pin appropiately to the back round to show form.

Good nite to all, please accept my apology for my first comments made earlier in the day, they were not quite right.

Best wishes, Linda

Permalink Reply by Luv2LuvAntiques on February 8, 2012 at 9:07am

Hello everyone!

I was just reading this discussion and thought it really did sound familiar! LOL I wrote a blog about this particular subject, back in January, 2011. Here is the link to my old blog if you'd like to take a look... http://thevintagevillage.com/profiles/blogs/luv2luvantiques-quandar...

I really luved the comparison to my hubby and Cary Grant! :O)

Take care, Diane

Permalink Reply by RC Antiques on February 8, 2012 at 9:29am

Teeeheheeee, I remember that blog..and your hubby.

I have revamped my rooms downstairs and have created a room just for videos and photography.

Finally , I will be able to photograph the vintage dresses and gowns on a hanging dress form, against a solid backround.

I only use my mannquins for the hats and jewelry now.

They are too tall, not only for me, but, when taking a full shot of an outfit, too much backround.

You know you've written a good blog when it is remembered as soon as it is revisited :-)

Your hubby still looks adorable in that robe,

best wishes,

Linda

Permalink Reply by Out Of The Attic 2u on February 8, 2012 at 9:46am

Did you ever find the link to the guy in NJ that selss mannequins??

Thanks

Barbara

RC Antiques said:

I loved your story Barbara.

You understand how much fun it is to dress mannequins...it makes the job of preparing photos for your shop more fun than a chore.

But, wrestling those mannequins are funny, been there, done that and your comments had me giggling.

It is after 10 P.M. and I was sound asleep when I realized I perhaps may not have wrote my opinion correctly.

So, I got out of bed to check, and lo and behold, there it was...I mentioned that unless one looked like a model, clothes should not be photographed on a real person.

I think that was very rude for me to say. And I'll tell you why. While surfing Ruby Lane a few weeks ago, I happened upon someone who used a live model for some of her clothes.

Although she was not a professional model, she really wore the clothes well. So, I can't remember which shop owner it is, only that the person in the photos had blonde hair..and I owe that shop owner an apology.

I can't remember what shop, but I do remember thinking it's the one time that someone modeled the clothes without hands out everywhere, or posing like a model...and the photos were nice.

So, let me try to correct my statement.

If one does not have a dress form or mannequin, and want to have someone model the clothes they are offering, do it simple. That shop owner did and it was done in good taste. Simple photos, no head to the side or looking coy LOL.

I do still stand by my statement about not using hands for jewelry such as rings or bracelets, hands, no matter how beautiful they maybe, just do not photograph well.

So, I hope my comments stand corrected...I honest to goodness write as my brain thinks, which is the same as when I talk, and that's not good..I'm sure everyone has heard the saying " I put my foot in my mouth "...yep, that's me..I think that's the saying LOL, like I say, I am not usually up after 10, but was sleeping soundly when my comment appeared in my head along with the image of that nice shop owner's photos.

Now, there's a place in NJ where I brought my best mannequins, used...he is a super fellow, and very reasonbable with shipping.

I will look for his business tomorrow when I am awake and post it on this thread.

Mannequin or not....good question

In my opinion, if you have a mannequin ( all you need really is the torso ) use the mannequin torso or whole mannequin for tops , hats and necklaces , earrings.

For dresses, coats etc, use a dress form or hang the clothes and pin appropiately to the back round to show form.

Good nite to all, please accept my apology for my first comments made earlier in the day, they were not quite right.

Best wishes, Linda

Permalink Reply by Luv2LuvAntiques on February 8, 2012 at 6:41pm

Barbara, I purchased my full sized mannequin, and 4 head/bust sized mannequins from sharon_sherrod on ebay. She hand paints mannequins to look like flappers. She is very artistic! If you'd like to take a look, here are her current listings on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Style-Art-Deco-Flapper-Mannequin-He...

Hats, scarfs, furs, and jewelry, look great on them, and they photograph well!

Take care, Diane :O)