Making sense of mannequins

Mannequins were first introduced to the masses around 1870. Back then, the emphasis was on making them look as close to real as possible, often embellishing them with real hair, glass eyes and even false teeth!

By the 1950s the Barbie look became a much more preferred shape for mannequins and the waist became slimmer and slimmer, with more emphasis added on other parts as well. By the 1970, mannequins went through another do-over, becoming hyper-realistic being based on the forms of runway models. 

The question now, after a sudden growing interest in the negative roles mannequins can play, is whether we are further from reality, in terms of how a mannequin looks, than ever before.

There is no easy answer to this. As the mannequin models demonstrate, they are far removed from what can be considered an average, here in Bangladesh or anywhere else for that matter. Unlike the numerous models and celebrities though, mannequins go under the radar when it comes to the question of perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards. 

Fashion designers and labels are quick to point out that everyone knows that models are 'dummies' and thus should not be held accountable for such a thing. They also stress that fashion is about selling a fantasy and clothes on certain size mannequins look more appealing and thus are a necessity. 

How much of that is actually true? 

Firstly, retailers ought to know that no one really blames mannequins. That is absolutely silly. Why should we? Who we do blame, as a whole, is the fashion industry itself that orders, buys and then displays these mannequins, promoting a type of body shape that is often times unattainable. This unattainability can easily have a psychological impact on shoppers, forcing some to buy a smaller size disguised as retail-therapy when the issue may lie much deeper.

Not the mannequins themselves but the retailers must be encouraged to promote more body-positive forms and images. The idea of mannequins is currently going through its next great transformation with realism creeping up as actual realism and not a manufactured one. 

There are numerous cultural pressures that persist for various body shapes and the fashion industry, as a whole, must make a concentrated and sincere effort to bring about a change. The 'average' mannequin measures around six feet tall, with a 34-inch bust, 24-inch waist, and 34-inch hips, and extremely narrow calves, ankles, and wrists. 

This is not a reality and never has been and while it is okay to peddle dreams, forcing them down our throats cannot be acceptable. 

By Osama Rahman