Fashion: Display
mannequin mayhem   (+6, -4)  [vote for, against]
use real people for mannequins in fashion shops.

most of the time they would just stand or sit around unobtrusively (possibly on a small plinth and obviously not chattering among themselves) allowing the customer to admire or not, the quality and design of the garment.

At other times the living dolls would follow the customer around maybe doubling as store detectives or engaging in polite conversation about the weather or answering questions about the shop’s stock: sizes, colours available and price. they should be trained as to the gait they assume; not too fast, not too slow, not jerky but aloof with head held high.

If the customer seemed interested they could, if asked, accompany the purchaser to the cubicles and assist in the trying on of the new clothing or just hold items such as bags and coats.
-- po, Aug 10 2002

for [water] who lives in a place where these are your regular sales persons (or police officers) apparently http://www.tobart.c...ale_mannequins.html
not exactly Sainsbury's is it? [po, Aug 11 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Human Mannequin http://www.tremble....ins/meet010605.html
"I was walking through Times Square last evening and I saw one of those 'human mannequin' performers that crowds still inexplicably coo over..." [phoenix, Aug 11 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Mannequin Man http://www.mannequin-man.com/
"The living mannequin" [phoenix, Aug 11 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004]

A list of 'Robot Performers' http://ourworld.com...mark_clay/robot.htm
[phoenix, Aug 11 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Living Mannequin Circle (aka LMC) http://www.freezemodeling.com
A site dedicated to motionless modeling, especially in stores. Photos, texts and links to other LM (Living Mannequin) sites. [lmcdosman, Aug 13 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Mannequindisplay.Com http://www.mannequindisplay.com/
The first internet site on mannequins in dispaly window's [mannequins, Aug 13 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004]

You could have robots do this, possibly.
-- BinaryCookies, Aug 10 2002


The sellers already wear the items they sell in many shops, and of course they do everything else you mentioned, so one might say it's baked.
-- Gwenanda, Aug 10 2002


this idea brings back distantish memories of pretending to be a mannequin at department stores whilst I was a child. For that it gets a vote.
-- kaz, Aug 10 2002


I agree with [gwenanda]. baked until proven otherwise, I'm afraid. [binary]: What _couldn't_ use robots?
-- watermelancholy, Aug 10 2002


I have never seen live mannequins modelling the stock. perhaps you could provide me with some links?
-- po, Aug 10 2002


[po] I meant no disrespect. However, as [gwen] said, many stores do tell clerks to wear the store's clothing, and thus, fufill your idea. Thanks.
-- watermelancholy, Aug 10 2002


its O.K. [water] but I think the idea is for you to *prove* that the idea is baked. the job description is mannequin, not clerk (?) or salesperson.
-- po, Aug 10 2002


I would like a few in the store window(s) moving around a little, interacting, not to scare anyone but maybe to draw some interested potential customers.
-- FarmerJohn, Aug 10 2002


What does the name matter for if they do the same thing? By that logic, I could post an idea for a Law Guy, who's like a police officer, but the name is different.

Regular mannequins are definately more cost-effective.
-- watermelancholy, Aug 11 2002


I have actually seen live manneqins in a store near toronto, they looked pretty bored
-- gm150, Aug 12 2002


Behind the glass vitrine, which is raised behind the hotelier desk of The Standard in West Hollywood on Sunset - there is always a Model cum Performance Artiste.
If it's a female, she's sometimes nude and asleep. Other times it'll be a bikini-clad femme clandestinely talking on her cell phone or reading, but looking as motionless as possible.
Around Mann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood Wax Museum or Guinness Book of World Records, there is often a guy who *just* stands there. Crowds of hicks gather, stare, point, take pictures...
-- thumbwax, Aug 12 2002


Those guys in the funny black hats do a fine job of displaying fashionable wares outside the Tower of London...
-- Mr Burns, Aug 12 2002


I've always thought using real girls as displays was a really good idea. I get a kick out of seeing how still they can be!
-- lmcdosman, Aug 13 2002


Living Mannequins are good to use for special events as they add something special to catch the shoppers eyes when they are shopping. However real mannequins will never be replaced by real girls and guys as living people do not display cloths the way that the visual designer wants you too see. Real girls or guys can't stay in the window for two weeks under the hot sun at a time displaying one set of cloths till the next shipment of cloths comes in the store. I don't disagree with the use of real girls but they are crowd pleasers to see once in awhile to catch your attention. However lot's of stores need help as they forgot how to catch the shoppers eyes by doing window's with headless forms that just look like the stores next to theirs. The theory behind window displays is not to catch the people that are out shopping for cloths it's to catch the people that are not out to buy cloths.

James http://www.mannequindisplay.com/
-- mannequins, Aug 13 2002


Do they go to the same school of acting as the Queen's Royal guard?

I think I saw this as a Candid Camera prank, once or twice.
-- RayfordSteele, Aug 13 2002


//Real girls can't stay in the window for two weeks under the hot sun at a time // girls can do anything.

I am not putting up that link as it is suspect - you may if you wish dear reader.
-- po, Aug 13 2002



random, halfbakery