Åhléns in Sweden has installed new mannequins showcasing fleshier torsos and thighs. The realistically-shaped mannequins help customers see what clothes will look like on similar body shapes once off the hanger.
The mannequins are offering an identifiable approach to the shopping experience, as they have realistic skin tones, hair styles and varied body shapes featuring different hip, waist and bust sizes. The whole concept will show shoppers what styles goes best with each body type.
Since the recent red carpet visage of stars like Adele or Christina Hendricks, Displaysense has seen orders for size 12 and 14 mannequins rise by 16 percent. Displaysense spokesman Jim Moody stated, “Curves are back and set to stay this spring/summer. Lagerfeld may want size zero on his catwalk but the commercial viability of the growing plus-size clothing market is being seized by high street chains and independent retailers alike.” The Hollywood scene, large retailers and independents shops alike are embracing the curvier hourglass figure in designs, so it just became a matter of time for shoppers to be able to shop with convience and a sense of reality.
Displaysense's motive for answering the call of realistically-shaped mannequins is pioneering a new trend that will hopefully expand into more stores and chains. They believe that "[s]taying relevant to your audience is essential and our order books show that sales of larger sized and bigger breasted mannequins, wider clothes hangers for heavier garments and other plus-size display products are undoubtedly on the rise in 2012.”
Comments