“We tend to customize our products for the clients,” says Anderson. “Each client has a different need in terms of what they need for visual. We build the mannequins based on what our clients need.”

At a basic level, a mannequin is a life-sized human form used in-store to showcase merchandise in order to increase sales. They are often perceived as simple bodies that involve dressing and accessorizing and, apart from this, do not tend to have separate characteristics.

Anderson says they are an iconic presence in retail and one of the simplest and most effective ways to inspire the customer to buy product.

He says mannequins allow new product, sales and hot trends to be featured visually in an instant. In addition, mannequins also work in window displays and can be used to lure clients into the store by displaying the store’s best and finest merchandise.

“Today, they have evolved beyond static objects to become something that can add real value to the message of a brand and highlight store design to heighten the customer shopping experience. Mannequins, from a retailer’s perspective become the face of the brand they represent. More and more, retailers are challenging what a typical mannequin is to distinguish themselves. Some might not consider mannequins terribly significant, but they are. Brands that “get it” make hefty investments to design custom mannequins that effortlessly illustrate their brand story and image. In today’s retail environment, it’s the details that matter. Luckily with mannequins, the possibilities are endless,” says Anderson.

Gender Mannequins, using today’s 3D printing technology and digitalization, can create a customized mannequin in a quick and affordable way. The company, which uses a factory in China to make the mannequins, says new plant-based materials available for making mannequins have a considerably less carbon footprint than a decade ago. Some creative solutions include mixing material with recycled material to create beautiful looks that are not only unique but show the client visually a brand’s commitment to a greener future.

The company also offers a range of alternative sizes and inclusive mannequin heads featuring different ethnicities that can be used across all its mannequin collections. It believes that representation matters, and by providing mannequin heads that reflect various ethnic backgrounds, it empowers its customers to create inclusive and relatable displays. By embracing diversity in visual merchandising, it celebrates the richness of different cultures and fosters a sense of belonging for all shoppers. “A mannequin has the power of making your clothes look as good as it needs to be and, in some cases, even better,” say Anderson.

“There’s a big difference between a mannequin from Ali Baba and the ones you get from us. It comes down to quality and design. Picture your retail store as a beautifully crafted kitchen. You’ve invested time and resources into exquisite countertops, a tasteful flooring, and stunning cupboards. Now, would you want to undermine the overall design and aesthetic appeal by placing a subpar, cheap oven in it? Probably not. Instead, you’d want the best oven that seamlessly integrates with the kitchen’s ambiance and your design choices, right? It’s no different with a mannequin. A mannequin can communicate your brand. It can make your clothes pop, it can make your clothes sell.”

The company is based in Montreal but has agents in Toronto and Vancouver.

For more information on Gender Mannequins, visit gendermannequins.ca

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Retail Insider worked with Gender Mannequins on this story. For more info, email craig@retail-insider-com