During the early part of the 20th century, department stores became big retail business, introducing the need for bust forms and display figures for their professional window-trimming teams. This led to a huge increase in business and diversification into more display fixtures and fittings.
By the 1950s and 60s, figures began to be produced in fibre glass, which was considered much more robust and gave a greater definition to the anatomic details of the mannequins. The company embraced this new production technique and continues to manufacture in these two materials, as well as looking into new and sustainable alternatives.
In the 1990s, the brand name was changed to Proportion London, and the company’s ethos, practising original artisan techniques and craftsmanship, using a library of original shape moulds and early archive material, remains strong.
Today, the company nurtures an international portfolio that spans customers from respected high street and high-end brands to world-class museums and visitor attractions.
In 2020, the future of Proportion London was secured by its acquisition by award-winning retail experts, Kesslers London.
Kesslers was founded in 1893 and has shown flair for adapting to the needs of a changing market. It hasn’t stopped growing since, finding new areas for the implementation of its expertise to deliver unique displays, pop-up shops and in-store experiences for brands globally.
The acquisition of Proportion London was an amazing opportunity for further development of Kesslers’ visual display offering and has been able to support the company in its ambition to increase its foothold in the visual merchandising sphere. Kesslers London remains intent on growing in areas that develop its breadth of services and specialism to retailers and brands. Combining Proportion London and Kesslers London brought the benefits of both companies to a greater range of brands and retailers, strengthening relationships and long-lasting synergies.
Daniel Astarita, Managing Director, commented at the time of acquisition: “We are lucky to have acquired a brand with so much heritage, bringing with it a strong brand image, reputation and high-quality standards. I am sure that Proportion London will bring an exciting chapter to the Kesslers story, augmenting the services that we provide and together will be able to continue to develop and continue to strengthen our position in the marketplace.”
Both businesses are located in Highams Park, London in a purpose-built facility where the Kesslers and Proportion teams are able to design, engineer and manufacture, using almost any substrate and assemble them together into stunning display pieces, all managed seamlessly by a passionate band of account and project managers. Experienced teams of sculptors, model makers and artists ensure that every detail of Proportion’s product is perfect and that the skills of hand manufacture are nurtured and developed.
Crafting from the finest materials to create entirely handmade, high-quality innovative display solutions for leading high-end, high-street brands and museums, making Proportion London globally unrivalled for its in-house services and extensive far east supply chain.
We craft mannequins, bust forms, and accessories for high-end and high street brands, as well as museums and public attractions. Examples of clients we work with are listed here.
ALL SAINTS
Me + EM
WHISTLES
THOMAS PINK
SIMONE ROCHA
SELFRIDGES
SEA SALT
PAUL SMITH
ORLEBAR BROWN
OWENS CORP
JIGSAW
MINT VELVET
N PEAL
HOLLAND COOPER
AGENT PROVOCATEUR
NATIONAL TRUST UK
NATIONAL TRUST SCOTLAND
NATIONAL THEATER
IM MARKETING
LOLO CREATIVE/ WARNER BROTHERS
END CLOTHING
VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND
DE BEERS
BRITISH LIBRARY
RAF MUSEUM
APRICOT
LA COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART
JANIE LIGHTFOOT
DESIGN MUSEUM
TESCO
SOMERSET HOUSE
British museum
Historic royal palaces
The Met Museum new York
Barber
Harrods
James Purdy
Hornimans museum
Fine arts museum San Francisco
Liberty
Alexander McQueen
All Saints
Belstaff
Ben sherman
Berlutti
Boden
Browns
Burberry
Calvin Klein
Charles Tyrwhitt
Charlotte Olympia
Chloe
Christian Dior
Christian Louboutin
Coach
Dolce & Gabanna
Harvey Nichols
Harrods
Hermes
Hobbs
Joe Browns
John Lewis
Lane Crawford
Liberty
Louis Vuitton
Liberty
National Museum of Scotland
Nordstrom
Maison Margiela
Mulberry
Marks and Spencer
Metropolian Museum of Art
Paul Smith
Ralph Lauren
Rick Owens
Rag & Bone
Reiss
Rick Owens
Selfridges
Simone Rocha
Ted Baker
The White Company
Thomas Pink
Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria Beckham
Vivienne Westwood
Warner Bros. Studio