Mannequin

Mannequin is a life-sized model of the human body used to display clothing and accessories, or as a training aid in various fields. In retail settings, full-body or partial forms are employed to present garments in windows and on sales floors. The term derives from the French mannequin, meaning a model or little manikin.

Mannequins come in several forms. Full-body figures and partials range from headless torsos to life-like models with articulated limbs. A dress form is a torso-only form used by designers and tailors for sewing, draping, and fit checks. Materials include fiberglass, plastic, resin, polyurethane foam, and sometimes wood or metal. Modern figures commonly feature a fiberglass shell over a hollow core and may be mounted on stands or bases.

Uses: retail display, window merchandising, and fitting aids; mannequins are also used in fashion design, photography, and film to present garments and create scenes. In addition to fashion, realized figures are used as props in theaters, museums, and exhibitions. Some specialties include animated or poseable mannequins with movable joints, and interchangeable heads, wigs, and accessories for versatility.

History: Early fashion figures were wax, wood, or papier-mâché used by dressmakers and couturiers. In the 20th century, mass-produced mannequins made of fiberglass and plastic became common, enabling affordable, durable displays. Since then, designs have emphasized realism, modularity, and ease of recycling or replacement to suit seasonal merchandising.

See also: dress form and dummy. Medical mannequins or manikins are used for healthcare training and simulation, distinct from retail display figures.