What are the benefits of custom mannequins?

Mannequins have long been a staple in visual merchandising, but the one size fits all approach is quickly becoming a thing of the past. As brands strive to create more meaningful connections with their customers, many are turning to custom designed mannequins as a way to better reflect their identity.

From showcasing a wider variety of body types to aligning with specific product ranges, bespoke mannequins offer the opportunity for clothing to be presented in a more authentic way. In this article, we’ll take a look at what custom mannequins are, what to consider when developing a custom made mannequin, and the benefits of custom mannequins.

What are custom mannequins?

Custom mannequins are mannequins that have been specially designed by the store that has made them to order, meeting specific requirements. Custom designed mannequins are tailored to showcase the unique characteristics of a brand’s products. They’ll normally be made to accurately represent the brand’s aesthetic, style, target audience etc, unlike traditional mannequins.

Bespoke mannequins often feature distinctive characteristics such as different body types, facial expressions and poses. They will also include a carefully selected material and finish to mirror the identity of the brand.

What to consider when developing a custom mannequin

When developing a custom mannequin, consider the following:

1. Outline your needs: Think about what you need from your custom made mannequin e.g. the style, size and pose that fits your products and brand. This will help you through the design process to ensure you get a bespoke mannequin that meets your exact needs.
2. Work with a designer/manufacturer: A bespoke mannequin designer or manufacturer can help bring your vision to life and provide their expertise on materials, designs and functionality, so collaborating with them throughout the process is key.
3. Test and evaluate: You can test the mannequin during the development stage by dressing it in various garments to ensure the figure is correct and works well with your displays.
4. Maintain: To keep your bespoke mannequins in good condition, ensure to maintain them in the correct manner. As well as this, keep them updated to reflect seasonal changes, promotions or new product lines.

The benefits of custom mannequins

Custom designed mannequins offer a range of benefits other than just aesthetics. By customising the form, pose, finish, and proportions to your brand’s style and customer base, you’ll create a bespoke mannequin that feels relatable. Here are the benefits of a custom made mannequin:

Consistent brand identity

A bespoke mannequin helps keep a consistent brand identity. As each brand has its own style and customer base, standard mannequins can only go so far when reflecting these things. By having custom designed mannequins, you can ensure that your display aligns seamlessly with your brand’s identity.

Signature store style

A custom mannequin helps you stand out from competitors who use standard mannequins, and it gives you a unique story identity and look. A distinctive display that includes bespoke mannequins make a store and brand more recognisable and memorable to customers, leading to increased foot traffic.

Long-term cost efficiency

Custom mannequins may have a higher cost compared to standard mannequins, but they can be more cost effective in the long run. Their durability and versatility means that you won’t have to replace them as often. As they are custom made to your brand, it can reduce the need for frequent updates to your display.

Eco-friendly approach

Many stores choose to make their bespoke mannequins with sustainable materials. By choosing to create a mannequin that’s made out of eco-friendly materials, such as an EcoForm mannequin, you’re contributing towards reducing environmental impact as well as achieving your visual merchandising and sustainability goals.

Precision merchandising

When creating your custom mannequin, you can make it so that it’s targeted towards your customer base e.g. if your brand caters to young professionals, you might create mannequins that have modern and fashionable poses.

Better fit for products

Standard mannequins come in fixed shapes and sizes which may not always cater to your products. A custom made mannequin can be designed to fit specific clothing styles and sizes, helping each garment to be displayed in the best way possible. This can be very useful for stores who carry non-standard sizes.

How Proportion London can help

At Proportion London, we’re all about flexibility. Whether you’re working with a compact space, specific budget, or a bold creative brief that requires a custom made mannequin, we’re more than ready to make that happen.

Thanks to our team of in-house sculptors based at our London workshop, we can craft bespoke mannequins from the ground up, tailored entirely to what you require. Explore our mannequins available to purchase or hire, or reach out to us today to start a conversation about a completely bespoke piece.