Modern Mannequins

I use several antique and modern dress forms to display and photo my vintage clothes. I would like to add actual mannequins--with arms and legs for a more realistic view. I occasionally see vintage ones at auctions, but there is always some damage and they sell for higher than I would like to pay--or frankly, I think they are ugly. I have found a couple internet sites for new models. I have found a couple that cost about $100, with shipping adding another $45. Can anyone recommend these modern ones that appear to be made of durable synthetic materials? thanks. Maude's Vintage Ware

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Out Of The Attic 2u on July 21, 2012 at 8:10pm

I just bought mine here and can't wait to use her.

http://www.mannequinhub.com/

oh total cost with shipping & handling 114.00

Permalink Reply by Graceful Antiques on July 21, 2012 at 8:28pm

http://www.Roxydisplayinc.com was recommended when I asked on the VFG by a few dealers.

I have been wanting a new mannequin or dress form for eons but for some reason I cannot make up my mind. I have looked forever also. Like a lady not being able to decide on shoes.

I believe if I ever run into a good one on the spot I will buy it.

Permalink Reply by Maude's Vintage Ware on July 21, 2012 at 8:49pm

Thanks so much for the quick replies. Loved the sites mentioned. Now it will be decision time.

Permalink Reply by Maude's Vintage Ware on July 21, 2012 at 8:52pm

PS--forgot to mention--looking for more realistic forms because I just bought at auction last weekend over 100 prom and cocktail dresses from the '50's on (tons of "what were you thinking" '80's stuff). So need to get busy listing them for sale.

Permalink Reply by JenniferLynn's Finds on July 22, 2012 at 6:30am

Oh, wow! What a find! (The dresses!)

Good luck finding a form that will work for you. I'm not to that point yet. I only have a few clothing pieces here and there and have not even gotten around to deciding whether I want to sell them. For now, I will model them myself. If I start to sell more clothing then I'll think about getting a mannequin.

Jen M.

JenniferLynn's Finds VIntage

Permalink Reply by Out Of The Attic 2u on July 22, 2012 at 6:46am

By the way, mine did come with a wig and the stand. The shipping was only $15. She is also pose-able and made of some type of plastic.

Graceful Antiques said:

http://www.Roxydisplayinc.com was recommended when I asked on the VFG by a few dealers.

I have been wanting a new mannequin or dress form for eons but for some reason I cannot make up my mind. I have looked forever also. Like a lady not being able to decide on shoes.

I believe if I ever run into a good one on the spot I will buy it.

Permalink Reply by RC Antiques on July 22, 2012 at 11:34am

I once had mannequins in almost every room in this house, LOL, so, here's a few tips.
The new mannequins are very very tall.
Also, be sure your new mannequin has good face paint, that is very important. Some sites will sell you a nice mannequin cheap ( had those too ), but, the face is not as realistic,( only a mold with light make up ) as one that has good paint.
The new mannequin will be to big for antique clothes, so, instead of an adult, get the teen.
I have an antique outfit on a teen mannequin with an adult wig...you would never know she is a teen..this is a very important tip if you have more antique clothes than vintage.
Also, the less expensive mannequins have a tendency to bend when the back of the leg fits into the stand rod, so, be sure to take the mannequin off the rod before moving her.
I LOVE mannequins, always have..to me, they are the same as a doll and so much fun to enjoy in a home.
Once you display on a mannequin, a dress form is just not the same....I still have my antique dress forms, but, if I had room, I would replace them all with the teen mannequins for my antiques clothes.
Best wishes, Linda

Permalink Reply by Swanky Selections on July 22, 2012 at 11:44am

I have an older mannequin, perhaps from the eighties. I saw her in a shop window of a little crowded sewing shop. When asked if she was for sale (evidently everthing is) she was disrobed right there and carried to the car.

As she has quite a haughty look about her, she looked kind of out of place in the less expensive, for the younger set garments. So I found another one whose face and actual presence are of a younger woman.

Her name is Danielle, the other is named "Ellie" in case anyone wants to comment on the good job that they do modelling for me.

One odd thing, I've noted people who own a mannequin (as I do) think they'd prefer a dress form, and the ones with dress forms would prefer a manny. Go Figure!

Permalink Reply by RC Antiques on July 22, 2012 at 11:53am

Teeeheeeee, hi there Swanky.
So, she was disrobed right there..poor thing, hauled nude as can be to the car or truck, teeheeee.
The last one I found was up in Pa, we took her apart, and they put the torso with the wig still on her, in the front seat...I even fastened a seat beat on her...she was nude, teheeee..
then, the one leg was propped up in the back seat, with the toe peeking out the window.
It was fun driving down Interstate 81 with all those truckers honking their horns, teeheee...fun.
I LOVE mannequins...I love dress forms too....but, my mannequins are my favorite the whole way ...they are very hard to part with..when I buy a new one , I always part with one so as to not have too many, but, it is not easy to do

Permalink Reply by Another Time Vintage Apparel on July 22, 2012 at 11:54am

My personal preference is a head less or true vintage mannequin to display clothing that is older than the 1970s.

The new ones facial expressions and body shape do not "fit" with the vintage look of the clothing.

I have seen the new light weight plastic type mannequins at Kmart.

Rather ugly and cheap looking in person.

The plastic material may give off a glare when photoed also.

I am lucky to have worked in visual merchandising and display and had contacts that would let me know when the company was clearing out their forms etc.

I have so many I don't know what to do with some of them. lol

Permalink Reply by RC Antiques on July 22, 2012 at 12:13pm

Another Time Vintage Apparel said:

My personal preference is a head less or true vintage mannequin to display clothing that is older than the 1970s.

The new ones facial expressions and body shape do not "fit" with the vintage look of the clothing.

I have seen the new light weight plastic type mannequins at Kmart.

Rather ugly and cheap looking in person.

The plastic material may give off a glare when photoed also.

I am lucky to have worked in visual merchandising and display and had contacts that would let me know when the company was clearing out their forms etc.

I have so many I don't know what to do with some of them. lol

Permalink Reply by RC Antiques on July 22, 2012 at 12:20pm

It is true, some of the new plastic mannequins are very difficult to photograph.

I could never get used to seeing a headless mannequin, even on the shopping sites for new fashions.

I use mannequins for the items in my Ruby Lane shop, always have. It helps the viewer visualize what the item will look like on them.

My teen mannequin looks antique with her antique attire because she has the antique style wig....and she is not the plastic type mannequin, instead she is a heavy mannequin that is similar to composition..so, although she is newer, she is one I paid well for due to the rare item she is wearing.

Mannequins are fun, if I had your connections with a merchandiser, I would be in trouble, LOL ...this house would be mannequin land, teeheee