To some they may be sort of creepy (a friend was reminded of The Silence of the Lambs) but to me vintage mannequins are beautifully sculptural and add instant character to a room. These headless, limbless figures, also known as dress forms, are simple dummies used to give the tailor a three-dimensional feedback while a garment is being sewed.
Apart from being a conversation starter, mannequins can also be quite practical. Obviously the crafty sewer will appreciate dress forms for their intended purpose. But these whimsical statuettes can also be used for hanging jewelry, hats or scarves. They can also be used as cork boards, as in Image 7.
FIRST ROW
• 1 Apartment Therapy.
• 2 You can buy vintage mannequins from this English site. These are decoupaged with vintage Paris maps. Corset Laced Mannequins.
• 3 New dress forms for sale at PB Teen. $199.
• 4 Here, the mannequin is used to hold necklaces and flowers. Little French Nest.
• 5 The unadorned black mannequin nicely contrasts with the whitewashed look of this room on Country Living.
SECOND ROW
• 6 One thing I love about the mannequin in this room is how it helps fill out very high ceilings. Little Bits of Lovely.
• 7 Here the mannequin is used as a hat stand and a cork board for post-it notes and other papers. Apartment Therapy.
• 8 Modern Kiddo. A vintage mannequin found on Craiglist; once used as a dress form for a fashion student/seamstress.
• 9 A (very) pricey antique mannequin from the 1890s in France. Briggs House Antiques on 1stDibs.
• 10 Isn't this one just lovely? If I ever buy a vintage mannequin I want one like this. A Perfect Gray.
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I think they're lovely. I have two- one of which is in my bedroom, fully dressed.
It just gives so much more personality to the room and adds some vertical interest.
I've had friends who collected male forms too. For some reason, the female ones look romantic and innocent and the male ones look erotic. Is it just me?
Is this what some commenters here call a judy?
sewn
yep, creepy!
My eye was more drawn to the neat leather hat box (or is it a travel case) to the right on the floor in the first photo.
I have two stashed in a closet next to my sewing machine.
I think they are creepy. I have one and I keep her around because she is essential for sewing. I used to hide her in the closed but that's just a hastle.
I found a pale green vintage dress form at a yard sale last summer, but she scares my dogs, so she stays in the attic until I need her :)
I actually made my own 'Judy'-it's the perfect size 'me'! And it's really quite pretty. I use her for the perfect fit when designing for myself. She kind of creeps my step-sons out, and I'm afraid of what might happen to her, when a bunch of boys are around so she is kept in my dressing room with all of my my necklaces and scarves draped on her when not in use.
Here's an DIY on how to make your own dress form out of duct tape.
I also run a mannequin/dress form website. I'm at DisplayImporter.com. We sell brand new dress forms for under $100.
Judy! Judy!
I put hockey jerseys on mine - the spouse won't wear em.
I acquired a vintage one for a steal at a yard sale. It is hands down my favorite thing and I am not a materialistic person. There is nothing creepy about it! Mine is in the dinning room with a beautiful black dress from the 50's. I get so many compliments on it. It was also used as a bridal shower game called "Put the bling on the bride". I just adore them.
i've got three judies in my living/dinning area... judy 1, judy 2 and judy 3 :) husband thinks they're creepy, but everyone else seems to be drawn by them... most people understand that i'm a very visual person, and that i see sculptural qualities in so many things. right now the girls all have marimekkko "tonttu" (elf) hats on, and one is ready for the outdoors with her scarf... one wears a dress-up dress from when i was little. they're real characters :)