the guide to mannakin - Mannequin Hire London

the guide to mannakin
V1.3 - Summer 2012
contents
choosing the right mannakin
our service to you
assembling a mannakin
care of the mannakin and our reno price list
history of mannakin
history of mannequins
mannequin hire, sales and care
contact information
choose the right mannequin
Choosing a suitable mannequin really does come down to what you are going to do with it
and how much of a budget you have. As there are so many kinds of mannequins available
it is worth noting some kind of definition for each type. There are a variety of mannequins
available that are suitable for a number of different uses.
During our recent web update we have done our best to represent a collection of
mannequins for all tastes and uses. But one core feature which just happens to be our
strong point is that we strongly feel that hiring a mannequin from us really is a better option
than purchasing, for creative choice, for the environment and for your pocket.
Once you enter the world of mannequins you will be astounded at just how many types
there are. Here we try to list them all and suggest a selection of scenarios that they would
be suitable for.
Dress Forms - Or a body on a stick as we like to call them! Dress forms are a half body
on a choice of wooden or metal stands. Suitable and very popular with the talented tailors
of Saville Row and the wedding dress designers of now. As these are quite reasonably
priced in comparison to a full bodied mannequin and far more portable, they are very
popular indeed.
Torsos - Torsos are a bit of an extension of a dress form or mannequin bust as they often
have a bit of a shoulder and tops of legs and a bottom. They are very popular for showing
off lingerie or indeed as a good alternative to a full bodied mannequin.
Headless Mannequins - This style of mannequin is truly timeless and will provide a
modern look for past, present and future use. This is an extension of a mannequin bust
and features a full life size body with arms, hands and legs. They are favoured by
photographers for use as a Ghost Mannequin. This means that clothes can be
photographed for the web and later edited to show just the clothing.
Faceless Mannequins - Very popular owing to their non-objective, almost space age
feel. Our range of faceless males and females in both straight and posed positions in a
selection of finishes including matt white, gloss black and an exciting granite silver. These
are full bodied mannequins without the fuss of a face or make up to maintain.
Realistic Mannequins - This range includes ranges of mannequins designed to look
like real people. They attract second glances and can be grouped together to form
exciting, pavement stopping windows. They have a theatrical feel about them and have
been used to great effect in music videos and television productions. Available in a range
of poses, these are full bodied mannequins although one can use just the torso’s and arms
sitting on a chair to show a large group of people sitting down for dinner. The possibilities
are endless and we have both new and used selections of these.
and there's plenty more where this lot came from..
Keep visiting www.mannakin.com to view our ranges and deals.
our service is number one
We operate a hassle free service for our clients which starts with advice where needed
and extends right to the end to ensure that your experience with us is a fantastic one. By
following the advisory notes in the coming sections you will be as prepared as you can be
for your mannakin experience. We do treat every enquiry, however strange you may
believe it to be, with the upmost care and attention. As our company has grown over the
last four years we have proved this time and time again. We are considered a trusted
supplier to the fashion industry and we uphold this reputation with extreme care and
attention.
how to use our service
asking for a quote
Use our easy to understand web enquiry form at http://www.mannakin.com/enquiries.html
placing your order
Sometimes an order can be complicated to process - so please use our specially designed
order
form
to
ensure
we
have
all
the
details
we
need.
http://www.mannakin.com/orderform.html
logistics
Shipping charges will vary depending on where and when you need the mannequins.
Please consult us and we will price accordingly.
help whilst on hire
You can call us any time if you are having problems on our UK mobile 07757513584. We
also monitor our answerphone messages via email, so you can easily leave a message on
our UK land line - 01636 610033.
return logistics
These are arranged with you at the point of ordering.
following up & deposit return
When we have received our mannequins back at MHQ we will check them for any
damages and charge this cost against your deposit. It is important that you inform us if the
mannequins become damaged during use. We also like to feature interesting images and
stories about what our mannequins have been out doing. They often lead much more
interesting lives than us mere-mortals and so please do send anything you can to us that
we can feature on our Club Mannakin website at http://www.mannakin.co.uk/club
assembling the full bodied mannequin
On opening the box you will find several body parts. But look first for the stand and assemble the
foot peg onto the glass or metal base plate. Most mannequins come with calf pegs and can wear
shoes. This normally slides over the footpeg and fixes into the back of the 'big leg'. This is the body
part that houses the hole for the foot peg to go into. To enable balance, it usually carries the whole
pelvis area too. Some mannequins (such as Lola) have both legs and pelvis joined together.
The big leg and the little leg are the next items you need. Turn both upside down, exposing the lock
and pin fixing at the top of the 'missing' leg. Put the little leg in place as it would be if completely on.
Turn it flat so that the pin drops, then turn it back into place. Turning the legs right way up will
enable you to place it on the stand. If you are dressing as you assemble, now is a good time to put
on trousers or skirts.
The next fitting up is either another lock and pin or an ice cream cone which screws in. Once this
has been identified the torso can go onto the legs, again put the body on as it will be when fixed,
then turn it so that the pin drops and then turn the body to sit correctly. Now is a good time for
putting clothes on the mannequins body.
Arms and hands should be quite straight forward, but if your mannequin is already dressed on top,
you can thread the arms through the sleeves - either way will work - either up through or down into
the sleeves.
care of the mannequin
Mannequins are made from robust yet fragile materials and should be treated as a piece of
sculpture. In order to keep a mannequin in the best condition possible it is vital that we
handle it with care, with clean hands, without rings (if possible) and preferably with gloves.
Dirt and grease from your hands will easily mark the surface.
We now stock a number of fittings to repair broken body parts and we are also well
qualified as any to repair and renovate mannequins.
reno prices
Glass / metal base - £26.50
Calf peg - £24.50
Foot peg - £8.50
Re-do Make Up (without respray) £35
Broken limb requiring filling & respray - £45.00
Broken or missing hand - £65.00
Re-spray - £75.00 - Gloss - £95.00
Chips/damage to mannequin - £125.00 (renovation and re-spray)
Cost of replacing a whole mannequin *dependant on type
Headless from £175.00
With Head from £195.00
All prices exclude VAT AND SHIPPING
We are able to offer shipping logistics, please call us.
history of mannakin
Mannakin was born in 2008 and founded by Roz Edwards-Mita. Initially the business idea
was consulting on retail strategy but a web page featuring a love for window science,
offering a window dressing service complete with mannequin hire sparked Mannakin into
action. Requests from many more sectors than retail were flooding in daily and so Roz
built up a collection of mannequins totalling over 2000 bodies. To date our facilities include
a full hire and renovation service with a small collection of mannequins for sale. We
operate primarily from our web site at http://www.mannakin.co.uk
history of mannequins
Mannequins have been traced as far back as the Egyptian Pharoahs but during the middle
ages dress forms were made for European Royalty so that their dressmakers could make
clothes to their exact measurements. When the European rise of Haute Couture came
about, mannequins became the major tool for any aspiring fashion house. Today traditional
dressmakers dummies have the same function, but also as a half body method of
displaying modern day fashions.
Nobody actually knows who instigated the first full bodied mannequin although the French
are credited as a means to display fashion.
"Most experts agree that the succession of stages set in motion during the Industrial Revolution-the manufacture of large, steel-framed, plate-glass windows, the invention of the sewing machine,
the electrification of cities--cleared the way for for the arrival of the full-figured, life size
mannequin."(From: Mannequins: Fantasy Figures of High Fashion, Smithsonian Magazine)
The start of the industrial revolution brought the existence of the window display. In the late
1800's street lights appeared along with plate glass windows and so the demand for
mannequins began as shop keepers used these windows to display their wares. By the
early 1900's mannequins became the centre of an industry known as display which is now
known as Visual Merchandising.
window dressing basics
1. Create your theme and mood words, visuals for inspiration.
2. Sketch an outline of how your window will look - think about building blocks from the
front to the rear with merchandise displayed either as a triangle, with the widest
point at the bottom, or perhaps as a repetitive structure - for example 3 mannequins
the same, 5 seated mannequins chatting on a bench.
3. Decide on colours and lighting. Can you just use draped cloth with colour, or do you
need to get out the paintbrush?
4. What props will you need to create the right visual shape in your window?
5. What will you merchandise - this should perhaps be the first consideration but as
we are focussing on a Spring window, which is a strong statement in itself, the
merchandise you are hoping to sell needs to stand out within the display.
6. Before constructing anything in the window though, ensure it is clean. A little vinegar
in warm water and old newsprint works wonders on cleaning windows. There is
nothing worse than dirty windows!
7. Work on lights and colours.
8. Bring in the large elements of the window - for example the mannnequins.
9. Dress the mannequin and use your props to finish the display.
10. As a final tip, always leave your window lights on at night - especially at this time of
year when customers may be passing after closing time due to the increase in light.
using QR codes in windows
QR codes, to those in the know are like barcodes which contain a message or a link. By
incorporating a QR code in your window display, you automatically put your business in a
stronger position. Give your window viewers a chance to reference you by giving them the
option of scanning the code onto their smart phone and having a reference point to refer to
later. Remember you read it in the Guide to Mannakin first! Try the one below!
Jubilee inspired window in Covent Garden 2012
mannequin hire (KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON HIRING)
When faced with the prospect of needing different styles of mannequins for different jobs
and changing environments - keep calm and carry on hiring - as believe it or not it is more
cost effective in the long run to hire good quality stock that is renovated to a high standard
than purchasing.
Mannakin™ is the Worlds number one choice for mannequin hire and renovation in the
UK. Offering a comprehensive hire catalogue for all visual statements including collections
from the brands Schlappi, Pucci, Rootstein and Patina V. As avid collectors we have
accrued thousands of mannequins and can offer something for every creative idea. Our
renovation skills extend to incredible finishes and flattering make up. We are proud to be
trusted by hundreds of brands both big and small, time and time again. Find us at
www.mannakin.com and enjoy viewing the most exciting collection of display mannequins
to hire in modern history.
Call us on 01636 610033 for information about our short term hire and long term rental or
to discuss the renovation of your existing stock.
We have hundreds of mannequins ready and waiting for your next creative buzz. From
one day to one year we offer short term hire and long term rental. Our reputation in the
creative arena is second to none as we feature as an official supplier of mannequins for
exhibitions and events including PURE, MODA and LONDON FASHION WEEK. We are
the only mannequin suppliers delivering in person at the venues to ensure a quality
service.
We have worked with stars such as MIKA and LADY GAGA, alongside television
productions TOP GEAR, T4 AND TRINNY AND SUSANNAH and with numerous fashion
designers including LOUIS VUITTON CATHERINE MALANDRINO and LOUISE
AMSTRUP. Our models have charmed the likes of retail guru MARY PORTAS and are
proudly featured in series 3 of the fabulous comedy duo ARMSTRONG & MILLER. We
recently saw our mannequins on THE X FACTOR STAGE. A very proud moment!!
Using an overnight courier or a personalised delivery service we offer a hassle free
mannequin hire service backed up with experienced advice spanning over 20 years in the
retail sector and over 10 years in the creative production arena.
mannequin sales
We have a small collection of mannequins for sale, both new and used. We are in touch
with a number of different sources of mannequins and we take pride in suggesting that we
can source any kind of mannequin including flexible, transparent, retro and vintage. We
always hold stock and will bend over backwards to help our customers. Our online shop
can be found at http://www.mannakin.com and has a secure online ordering facility.
contact information
Mannakin Ltd
Unit 6 Newark Storage Industrial Estate
Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 4EQ
Tel +44 (0) 1636 610033 email mail@mannakin.co.uk
Open by appointment only for visitors and Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm by telephone.
Available by email 24/7
The Mannakin Guide is © Mannakin Ltd and is subject to constant revision. Please ask us
for the latest edition.