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

Mannequins breathe life, emotion, and animation into retail environments across the world. Follow the history and evolution of this ultimate 'silent salesforce' from the headless models of 1900 right up to today’s moving and virtual fashion mannequins. Exploring shifts in representation of gender, race and body type, this unique guide is a must-read for visual merchandisers and store designers wanting to find insight and inspiration from the history of their craft. Profiles of the Mannequin also includes in-depth interviews with creative professionals about their experiences, philosophies and stories of the mannequin and its impact on our culture both as 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