Promoting diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry has never been under more scrutiny than it has in recent years. For too long, fashion brands have been incredibly limiting in their representation of models, with little prioritisation for fashion diversity. While this is problematic in itself, it becomes even more so when we consider how heavily influenced society is by the fashion industry and its standard of what is considered “beautiful”.
Diversity and inclusion in fashion doesn’t just stop at the fashion designer though. There is a duty by the wider fashion landscape to embrace diversity, and a powerful (and visible) factor in this is the use of inclusive fashion mannequins. After all, they symbolise what we as a society perceive to be the most desirable standard.
When you think about a traditional mannequin you are probably thinking of a tall, slim, able-bodied and white figure. However, fashion should be for everyone; for all shapes, sizes, colour and abilities – and mannequins should reflect this. Read on to find our quick guide to mannequin diversity.
With research suggesting that almost a quarter of women in the UK (around 6.2 million people) wear a size 18 or above, there has never been a greater need to showcase bigger sized clothes on plus-sized mannequins. By using mannequins that represent bodies of different shapes and sizes, fashion retailers can begin to challenge the perception that only a certain size is beautiful or desired and create a movement toward body positivity and inclusivity. It also creates a positive and empowering landscape where a greater proportion of customers will see themselves represented by brands.
Almost a fifth of people in the UK belong to a black, Asian, mixed or other ethnic group, but are grossly underrepresented in terms of mannequins. However, this is beginning to shift with an increasing number of retailers choosing mannequins that are representative of non-white skin tones. This signifies a key movement towards breaking down dangerous beauty biases and making all consumers feel valued and represented.
Another positive fashion mannequin trend is that of the inclusion of non-able-bodied mannequins that represent varying disabilities. Mannequins with wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs are becoming more commonplace within the fashion industry. The presence of mannequins with disabilities helps break the stigma and damaging assumption that beautiful has to mean one particular body type.
With fashion trends often being confined firmly into masculine or feminine, there is a greater understanding now that in fact, not all bodies fit into these narrow constraints of identity. There are an increasing number of fashion brands that use transmasculine and transfeminine mannequins that do not conform to traditional gender norms and could set the standard for representation for non-binary body types.
The movement towards greater diversity in mannequin representation is more than just a box-ticking exercise – it symbolises a shift in changing attitudes to what is accepted and classed as “beautiful” – not just in the fashion industry but as a wider society. What is considered desirable is constantly transforming to include bodies of all shapes, sizes, ability and colour and what better way to showcase and celebrate this than through the use of mannequin diversity.
If you’d like to expand your range of mannequins to reflect greater diversity and inclusion, then Proportion London can help you.
Proportion London have been creating mannequin-like forms since the opening of its founder company, Siegel and Stockman, in France in 1867. Since then, we have grown to the global brand we are today, hiring and selling mannequin collections to a plethora of leading retail brands and museums, as well as designing and manufacturing bespoke creations that meet our customers’ specific requirements.
Get in touch with our friendly team today to see how they can help you.
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