Profiles, Body Type, and Gender

Abstract

Profiles of the Mannequin is an exposé exploring not only the physical manifestation of the mannequin, but also the philosophies, techniques, and cultural and sociological impact of the creative visionaries who brought these seemingly inanimate objects to life. Mannequins have been referred to as the quintessential silent sales force. While they have fulfilled an important utilitarian function in terms of displaying and ultimately selling apparel, they have assumed an even greater role with a more enduring effect. They cross the line from being a strictly functional selling tool, to an infusion of life, emotion, and animation into retail environments across the world. They are works of art that tap into the emotions and aspirations of all who engage them. Moreover, they are time-honored barometers, measuring the pulse of society, and the heartbeat of culture. The evolving mannequin has consistently responded to current events, social and cultural movements, and nuances of the moment. As such, they provide an engaging historical bookmark, measuring the events and happenings of the times. This book will examine the important contributions of those who have advanced the art of the mannequin. It’s a comprehensive study of the influential authorities whose vision and perspectives serve as a guideline for all studying the social, cultural and historical impact of these sculptural forms. In assembling and documenting the many personalities or ‘Profiles of the Mannequin,’ the author conducted a series of in-depth interviews with colleagues, educators, historians, and industry leaders; including museum curators, designers, fashion forecasters, manufacturers and highly respected visual merchandising directors.

Cite this paper

@misc{anon2024profiles,
  title = {{Profiles, Body Type, and Gender}},
  pages = {21--26},
  year = {2024},
  doi = {10.5040/9781350418141.ch-002}
}

Made from the index record. Check names, capitalisation and page numbers against the paper. Need another style? AI for Research has over 10,000.

Related papers