No matter what industry you’re involved with, trends are constantly changing. When it comes to the retail industry, this concept is no exception. In fact, the retail industry is responsible for some of the fastest changing trends – often making it hard to keep up. With the use of mannequins, stores are empowered to keep shoppers in the know on the latest seasonal fashion trends.
Here at Joslin Displays, we provide the retail industry the tools they need to stay on top of the game. However, we also do some work on our end as well. Believe it or not, mannequins also come with trends. Here is a look.
A brief look at the history of mannequins.
Dating back to the Industrial Revolution, mannequins played an integral role in the shopping experience. It was during this time that shopping came under a new light and was considered a leisurely activity. In fact, it was here that ‘window shopping’ earned its name.
Once crafted to closely replicate the human figure with real hair, glass eyes, and false teeth, retailers needed a more costly solution. By the 1950s and 60s, manufacturers turned to plastic. It was here that the female figure also took on a more serious look and the hourglass figure. The 1980s focused on the more aesthetic figure, and we saw the first of defined abs making their way onto the scene.
With trends come changes, a must in an industry to survive.
Current industry trends.
With diversity as a leading topic of today’s society, mannequins, again, are changing shape, size, and color. For example, the ‘plus size’ movement in portraying women in a realistic manner versus the barbie-doll hourglass figure is a significant game changer. Not only are clothing companies revisiting their model selection, but how they display their ‘curvy’ line in retail stores is also changing. We are not only facing a cultural diversity awakening but also diversity among mannequins.
At Joslin’s Displays, we are proud to offer the industry’s highest in-demand selection of mannequins. From matte white to glossy black, plus size to the sports series, whatever your clothing line requires, we have the solution.