Mannequin Fabrication to replicate people with diabilities

Why does the average mannequin stand about 5'9 for females and 6'3 for males? Simple answer, they replace and replicate models from the runway. Not all mannequins have to be average if you have the skills and tools you can replicate a mannequin of any shape, size and form. In the video below a team of expert fabricators bring to life a set of mannequins for people with disabilities.  This is a refreshing  spin on mannequins for store windows, a personal must see for me, seeing as how mannequins help express art forms in many ways that most of us are ignorant to.

 

 

What the Holidays Should Be About

The tradition of Thanksgiving in my family has evolved to having family and friends gather around the turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, with loved ones in the kitchen preparing the feast and others on the couch watching the Thanksgiving Day football game. Before we feast, we would go around the table and each person would say what they're thankful for. But often, we would only reflect on this one day out of the year. Afterwards, we would run to the stores that participate in Black Friday to gather gifts for the ones we love and call it the spirit of the holidays. Looking at all these traditions made me think about the other 364 days of giving - and not just to the people we know and love. What about the people we don’t know who are in need?

Don't get me wrong, I love the holiday traditions we have in our family. What made me ask these questions? Family Resource Associates in New Jersey did.

 
We recently had 7 female torsos available for donation and came across Family Resource Associates (FRA), a non-profit organization in Shrewsbury, NJ. Who better to donate to than people who help other people?

What does FRA do for the community? In there mission statement, they state:

“Family Resource Associates (FRA) is a New Jersey non-profit agency ... helping children, adolescents and people of all ages with disAbilities to reach their fullest potential. FRA connects individuals to independence through modern therapies and advanced technology. Acknowledging the powerful influence of the family, we remain committed to them by offering both support and education.

FRA assists individuals of all ages who have developmental delays or disAbilities as well as acquired disAbilities. FRA provides home-based early intervention for infants, therapeutic recreation programs and assistive technology services, along with family and sibling support groups.”

  
While working closely with the staff to donate these forms, it made me realize the staff behind the wonderful organization practices the spirit of giving every day. We at DisplayImporter.com would like to salute the FRA and the services they provide to the community. They are one of many that show us giving isn't limited to one day out of the year.

You may think - why would FRA need mannequins? FRA has a thrift store that’s supported by donations to raise money for the many programs they run. With the mannequins DisplayImporter.com donated, they are able to use it to display clothing, jewelry and other apparel needs in their clothing section of their store. Mannequins are proven silent salesmen and utilizing them would help FRA sell more clothing and raise more funds.

   
FRA states that 94% of all money raised goes directly to support their programs which makes them a worthy organization to donate to. FRA also has other opportunities such as volunteering hours, but if you are not in the area and would like to donate items, you can find a local charity group in your community to donate to. CharityNavigator.org can help you find a reputable local charity that will use your donations to give back directly to the community.

Thank you for giving Family Resource Associates. We truly honor your work.

LIFE Magazine: Cynthia the Mannequin: A Curious Star Is Born

Nowadays, mannequins are mostly made of fiberglass, polyurethane foam, or plastic.

But back in the 1920's and 30's, mannequins were often made of wax that melted in the hot sun and looked just down right creepy with their eerie look. Along came Lester Gaba, a former soap sculptor, who revolutionized the making of modern mannequins by using plaster that allowed realism.

LIFE magazine did a profile on one of Gaba's mannequins, Cynthia, who socialized around town, made appearances at the opera, and even visited nightclubs!

    

    

"In 1937, LIFE magazine launched the career of an up-and-coming starlet in a multiple-page photo spread that, overnight, made “Cynthia” a household name. In very short order she became an A-list celebrity; was given her own television talk show and starred on the silver screen; was sent jewels and dresses by top fashion houses; was briefly engaged to one of radio’s biggest stars; and became one of the most recognizable faces in the fashion world.

There was just one minor catch: Cynthia was a mannequin. Not a mannequin in the way a runway model is a mannequin. But a mannequin mannequin. A made-of-plaster mannequin."

There are more pictures along with the history of Cynthia at http://life.time.com/curiosities/life-with-cynthia-the-world-famous-mannequin/.

Long Neck Hat Display Ladies Dress Form

The makers of this dress form really made it a FUN one. It was given an elongated neck for all the great accessories we love. The elegance of the neck is dynamic to any display, whether you use it to showcase a hat or to compliment the clothes, it will scream "look at me!" And shouldn't all your displays scream?

Our hot new Ladies Long Neck Hat Display Dress Form, MN-601, has a 31" chest, 22.75" waist, 32" hip, and is 34" in height. It is height adjustable from 4'4" to 6'4". The high quality 3/4 female body dress form is available in black leatherette or white linen.

      

      

Elegant Dress Forms with Bendable Arms and Articulate Fingers

Who could resist these clever and classy dress forms? 

Create eye catching poses with this Ladies Dress Form with Bendable Arms and Articulate Fingers. Can be positioned to various arm and hand/finger poses. Form is covered with high quality leatherette or fabric on the body. Has an adjustable height. Pole can be inserted straight into the body.

          

 Also available in a matching Men's Egghead Dress Form with Bendable Arms.