Profiles of the Mannequin: The Cultural and Historical Impact of the Mannequin

They’ve been referred to as the quintessential silent sales force, but they are so much more than fancy clothes hangers. Mannequins breathe life, emotion, and animation into retail environments across the world. They are works of art that tap into the emotions and aspirations of all who engage with them.

Profiles of the Mannequin tracks the history and evolution of these intriguing figures from the headless models of 1900 right up to today’s virtual mannequins. Exploring shifts in representation of gender, race and body type, this study chronicles the connection between mannequins and movements in art, the humanities, current affairs, and fashion.
Beautifully illustrated and engagingly told, fascinating in-depth interviews with creative professionals recount their experiences, philosophies, and stories of the mannequin and its impact on our culture as both a utilitarian object and as an artistic statement.

Interviewees include:
-Carol Barnhart, former owner and CEO, Carol Barnhart Inc.
-Harry Cunningham, former Senior Vice President Store Planning, Design, and Visual Merchandising, Saks Fifth Avenue
-James Damian, former President of Hindsgaul Mannequins USA
-Paul Olszewski, former National Director of Windows and Internal Flagship Marketing, Macy’s
-Barbara Paris Gifford, Curator, Museum of Art and Design (MAD), New York
-Ralph Pucci, mannequin designer, gallery owner and entrepreneur
-Rob Smith, the CEO and Founder of the Phluid Project, the first gender-neutral store in the retail industry

Eric Feigenbaum is the New York Editor of Visual Merchandising and Store Design magazine, where he has written cover stories on Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Armani, Moschino, Uniqlo, Polo Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Coach, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany, and Christian Lacroix. He is also the President of Embrace Design and former Chair of Visual Merchandising at LIM College, USA. He was formerly an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Corporate Director of Visual Merchandising at Sterns Department Store.