England 04/04/2012 - The tailors dummy has been with us for over 100 years yet continues to evolve

A tailors dummy is a pretty specialist piece of kit. The modern fully adjustable tailors dummy is a relatively recent invention. Exactly when the first dummy was made is not clear, but it was just over 100 years ago.

As the name suggests, the tailors or dressmakers dummy was developed to help a tailor or dressmaker to make clothes that fitted perfectly without the need for constant fittings. Some fittings on the actual client are still necessary, but because less of them are needed, the tailor is able to produce a bespoke item far more quickly than they otherwise could. As a result, many modern tailors and dressmakers still use these dummies.

Some fashion designers try out their designs on tailors dummies. Doing so allows them to further hone their design before making up a final design for a model to try on. Of course, further adjustments still need to be made, but the dummy helps to hone the basic design to the point where those adjustments and changes are minimal.

Members of the public rarely see tailors' dummies they tend to be hidden away in the backroom of fashion design studios and tailor's shops. However, you do occasionally see them used in clothes shops. The shops that use them the most are those that sell high-end clothing or elaborate clothes such as evening gowns and wedding apparel. A evening gown with a fitted bodice looks much better on a tailors dummy, which can be adjusted across the chest, at the waist and hips than it does on a standard mannequin.

Some museums also used tailors' dummies rather than mannequins to display ancient items of clothing. The shape of people has changed considerably over the years, so the additional adjustability offered by a tailors dummy means these clothes can be better displayed.

The tailors dummy becomes popular with private individuals too

As well as being used for the purpose it was made for the tailors dummy has found its way into the world of home decor. The Shopfitting Shop who primarily sell these dummies to the clothes retail industry, have recently seen demand coming from private individuals and other sources.

Contact:
The Shopfitting Shop Limited
Units 4a & 4b
Holmes Chapel Business Park
Manor Lane, Holmes Chapel
England, United Kingdom
Zip: CW4 8AF
Tel: 01477 534 273
http://www.theshopfittingshop.co.uk/