Six inches taller and six sizes smaller than the average American woman, mannequins have long reflected body image trends. As the average person's weight continues to increase, models and mannequins represent fewer and fewer American women, which can cause problems for a young woman's self-esteem. Some countries and fashion industry officials are making an effort to set a more realistic example, but many others are less concerned.
Clothes look better on tall, thin, abnormal bodies. The average size in America will continue to go up, but high fashion will always be shown on smaller models.
Over the years, some mannequin makers have created mannequin molds to mirror the evolution of body image trends. In the '60s, the miniskirt called for thin-thighed mannequins. Twenty years later, toned and athletic ones reflected the shift toward a "fit" body ideal.
In recent years, celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce have inspired larger-bottomed and more curvaceous mannequins. Today, many have tattoos, belly rings, deeper ear canals for hooking in earphones and have grown on average by 3 inches. Lately, sightings of mannequins that resemble women with breast implants have risen.
The weight of the average American continues to rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 25-pound increase in the weight of an average person between 1960 and 2002. The standard size four to six mannequin does not reflect that change.
The clothing's made to fit the mannequins, and the clothing in the fashion industry in general is best suited for an underweight look. Anytime you see clothing on the mannequin or model there's pressure to look like them and fit into the clothes.
This danger, coupled with the recent model deaths, has spurred some countries to reevaluate the fashion industry's image of women. Both Spain and Italy required an acceptable body fat index reading before allowing models to hit the runway for fashion shows earlier this year.
Gradually, some mannequins have been evolving. Industry experts disagree as to whether the larger-bottomed mannequins, the first development in creating a more realistic body type, are catching on.
Clearly America and the world is getting bigger. The idea of having a mannequin more representative of the average woman appeals to a lot of customers.
And there has been an increase in demand for plus-sized mannequins. After designers like Donna Karin and Ellen Tracy began designing clothes in sizes larger than 12, mannequin makers responded.
Still, nothing beats the size six, 5-foot-10 fiberglass beauty shown in almost all display windows. Displaying clothes on a size six is more linear and more pleasing to the eye. Mannequin makers must still keep proper body proportions while elongating the poses.
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