Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Mannequins for 19th c. dresses

    Posted 04-17-2025 12:11 PM
    I'm looking for vendor sources for full mannequins and dress forms for women's clothing from about the 1870s to the 1910s. The mannequins we use are serviceable and purpose-made for museums, but out of date. Though we do not have a large budget, I am still interested in knowing a range of price options because perhaps we could find grant sources. I'm not really interested, however, in DIY options.

    Thank you.

    Laura Vookles

    Chair, Curatorial Department


    HUDSON RIVER｜MUSEUM

    511 Warburton Avenue

    Yonkers, NY 10701

    (914) 963-4550 x220

    hrm.org｜Instagram｜Facebook｜YouTube｜TikTok


    MUSEUM HOURS

    Wednesday–Friday, 12–5pm NEW

    Saturday & Sunday, 11am–5pm
    First Friday of each month, 5–8pm FREE


  • 2.  RE: Mannequins for 19th c. dresses

    Posted 04-18-2025 09:36 AM

    Our favorite partner for realistic cast figures is Studio EIS in NYC.
    https://www.studioeis.com/museum-figures

    Here are some sources for dress forms and conservation mannequins:

    https://www.museumfigures.com/conservation-forms/ (Foam, relatively inexpensive. Usually require some adjusting with additional padding, or removing some foam. Leans toward DIY.)

    https://museummannequins.com/product-category/outlet-bodies/ (someone recommended them to us but we haven't worked with them.)

    https://www.universityproducts.com/archival-storage/textile-conservation/museum-dress-forms-hat-mounts

    https://www.nanasai.co.jp/products/kci_museum_mannequin_en.html (These are considered the gold standard in museum mannequins but they are pricey.)

    Hope these sources are helpful.

    Douglas



    ------------------------------
    Douglas Flandro
    Director of Sustainability and Exhibit Designer
    CambridgeSeven Associates, Inc.
    Cambridge MA
    ------------------------------



Related Content