the secret life of mannequins

It's all about Iris

2012-01-13T11:23:00.000-08:00

Being a mannequin of meticulous standards and substantial means - I make it my aim (image-wise) to search for the new and adopt the unique. I am truly a magpie of maquillage, a beholder of beauty in all its fabulous variety and manifestations. Miss Mannequin is not completely loyal to any one brand either - a true tart of the beauty hall!

My roving eye was recently drawn to MAC - a queen amongst cosmetic princesses. Yes, yes, yes, I know all about The Daphne Guinness Collection (of course like Daphne I too have my own stylist, make up artist and troupe of dedicated hairdressers)! But what interests me more is their recent Iris Apfel Collection. Astonishingly captivating, this vibrant 90yr old shows that age is no barr to looking great, a little make up (but no surgery) are all in a days work. Amazing photographs and well done MAC for celebrating a more diverse beauty ethic.

As for me...when I want a more up to date look - I call in my friends at Bodyline. Versed in the ways of make-up and hair - they have indeed gilded my beauty over the seasons, renovating even the most tired of my fibre-glass chums and even repairing their little chips and cracks along the way.

Check out the new Bodyline website where a superb gallery of looks awaits.

www.bodyline.ltd.uk

artistic inspiration

2012-01-03T02:23:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year dear readers - and to all of you Miss Mannequin wishes the highest order of creativity in 2012!

So lets kick off with some inspiration, re-invented innovation and a bit of old fashioned light entertainment .. with this year's oscar tipped film "The Artist".

Nothing could be more like visual confectionery (so needed in early January when the Xmas supply of chocs has all but run out)! than this beautifully executed French fim following the fortunes of a silent movie star as he struggles to come to terms with the change from silent screen to talkies.

Starring Jean Dujardin as screen idol George Valentin and Bérénice Bejo as aspiring starlet Peppy Miller, who could fail to be enchanted by this black and white extravaganza, which runs through every genre of film prevalent in the late Twenties, blending them seamlessly together yet serving them up to you as fresh as a daisy! If you know your classic movies you will sense elements of Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, Clara Bow, Sunset Boulevard, Fred and Ginger and Gene Kelly. If you don't...get researching! In Miss Mannequin's opinion, there's definately something worth knowing about silent movies and Hollywood dance showcases that could benefit visual in these dim times of economic gloom.

Best scene for Miss Mannequin - George's nightmare where everything begins to take on sound .. apart from him ... and of course the surprise line right at the end. Truly fabulous, retro, yet not antique! And for those who want a further peak ...

A little fairy told me!

2011-12-22T05:50:00.000-08:00

Now you all know Miss Mannequin loves nothing more than a luxury shop at this time of year. Mincing (pardon the seasonal pie pun) around Mayfair after a particularly gruelling session yesterday, I popped into Claridges for a thimble of sherry.

Propping my base plate discreetly against the edge of my armchair and slipping off my Louboutins for a moment, I spied, to my great delight, the most glorious and glamorous tree in all fashiondom! Four metres in height and bedecked by more baubles and ribbons than a Tiffany photo-shoot, this magnificent specimen has been designed by Lanvin supremo Alber Elbaz.

Beautifully executed, Alber’s tree includes mannequins caricatured as hotel staff, (chambermaids and a concierge) nonchalantly socialising with the hotels guests amid the splendour of the hotel’s luxurious lobby

To top it all (and I do mean to top it all!)

with typical humour, the fairy perched

at the pinnacle of the tree

is none other than the fashion mogul himself. Well done Alber,

they don’t get much more haute couture than that I thought as I raised my glass.

......... and a toast to you my dear readers … it has been a positive pleasure to ramble on to such a discerning bunch of webettes!

If you are passing – I urge you to stop for a gawp at the Claridges tree, which will be on display until January 2nd

All i want for Xmas

2011-12-12T04:56:00.000-08:00

Santa Baby......Miss Mannequin is penning her Christmas list to Santa and top spot goes to a years subscription to the online archive for Vogue Magazine.

For £970 (come on Santa, you know i'm worth it!), this fantastic depository boasts 400,000 digitised pages including covers, articles and advertisements of American Vogue (sadly not the UK version yet), reaching back to 1892.

A refined search engine can instantly pull out information on a brand, designer, photographer or even a single colour, material or clothing. Fashionistas everywhere will soon be selecting from this rich library of textual and visual annals.

Miss Mannequin had better be extra good until Christmas if she wants to make sure of this gift. Be good too kids, and get that letter written soon!

Link to video demonstration of Vogue Magazine archive

Box clever: BOXPARK

2011-12-12T03:07:00.000-08:00

Always keen to bring you newnesss in retail - Miss Mannequin popped down to her new local mall to bring you some hot off the press news from the delightfully funky and original BOXPARK: situated in London's Shoreditch. The antithesis of East London's other new mall experience (Westfield Stratford City), BOXPARK is whipping up a retail revolution as the World's first pop up retail mall. Sixty streetwear related brands are housed on shipping containers, strapped together and stacked high at the corner of one of London's most happening intersections. The Shoreditch area is known world-wide for its artistic leanings and original "out of the box" ideas. BOXPARK is no exception.

Down at street level skater, surf and nerdie-chic types, shopped the containers (which inside were perfectly fitted with all mod cons and just as a small store should be), mingling and merging as they darted into each door for a mini fix of brands like Levis, PUMA, Calvin, Kangol, Farah and Lacoste.

click to see proportion>london Vintage Style articulated figures

Upstairs on the rugged wooden boardwalk - cafes and chill areas overlooked the busy street - a perfect place to pose, repose and generally check out all things cool as the world wandered by.

You will all know by now that Miss Mannequin would NEVER wear trainers (perish the thought!), but she does know an original retail concept when she sees one.

Get down with the kidz and shop this pop-up - whilst you can!

http://www.boxpark.co.uk/

the secret life of mannequins ...

2011-11-30T08:23:00.000-08:00

As you know, Miss Mannequin always looks to inform her viewers with revealing features on the secret life of mannequins. Shown below are some amazing images taken by talented photographer Dylan Collard at the proportion>london factory some time back.

Dylan's skill at capturing the personalities of some of proportion's staff interacting with their product within the factory environment makes for a stunning gallery of modern yet timeless images. Miss Mannequin adores these shots and agrees with Creative Review Magazine who selected him for a "Best in book Award". Glamorous a factory environment may not be, but certainly distinctive...as is much of his work.

Dylan commented “As soon as we got there I was intrigued by the factory and fascinated by the macabre feel of the location. Limbs, heads and torsos were stacked on shelves, packed into boxes and spilled out of crates. We found groups of mannequins standing in formation like modern day terracotta armies and incomplete, dismembered body parts looming out of the shadows of spray rooms.”

See more of Dylan Collard's distinctive photography at Dylan Collard and more proportion london's product at proportion london mannequins

images courtesy of Dylan Collard 2009

Naughty, but nice!

2011-11-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

Miss Mannequin writes with a vaguely green eyed slant today - present as she was at a recent photoshoot for the wonderful Burlesque Collection of mannequins by proportion>london, inspired by exotic dancers.

Sultry but stylish, these foxy ladies looked great in a selection of heavy duty support wear by Marks and Spencer. Think then what they could do for the really sexy stuff! ... the mind boggles.

Anyway, its all well and good to be standing all day in a showroom with these divine beauties...clad only in their skimpies, however one does find oneself gazing in the mirror a little too often to check whether my legs are as long as theirs and my bottom as pert! ...

In the interests of keeping you informed, I took some snaps in the wings whilst our photographer Mervin (and he is almost a magician), supervised the backdrop set up and lighting. I can honestly say - never has fibreglass looked so hot!

The Royal Wedding - a last wistful look....

2011-09-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

Now that the long, hot summer is finally drawing to an end, Miss Mannequin has had the time to wistfully reflect on the fabulous wedding of her great chums, Will and Kate. I love a good wedding......so in order to extend the occasion just a little further I took the recent opportunity to pop over to the palace for another prolonged gaze at that dress! Whilst not exactly having access inside the royal wardrobe, my destination was in fact this year's Summer Exhibition; featuring many of the accoutrements of the regal event.

The exhibition has been a smash hit with residents and tourists alike, giving opportunity to ponder the props of the wedding close up. Cake, dress, shoes, earrings, flowers...Miss Mannequin could hardly contain herself as she skirted swiftly past the Faberge Egg displays and headed for the main exhibit itself. As beautiful and intricate as I remembered it on the day; the closer you look at this divine Alexander McQueen dress the more detail reveals itself in the sumptuous bespoke lace design that took so long to make. Of course (being a mannequin) I also appreciated the bespoke bust form it was mounted on, it presented the dress perfectly. Being an insider, I know it took many hours of fitting and adjusting to get just right. The exhibition broadcasts an interview with designer Sarah Burton, explaining how the design was conceived and bringing completion to the whole show.

Talking of completion, I don't believe I told you about the bouquet? Miss Mannequin was involved in that most quaint of all wedding day traditions; the catching of the bouquet. Stemming back to Olde England (where guests wanted a share of the brides good fortune), Miss Mannequin found herself in the middle of a near rugby scrum of young aristocrats, where sharp elbows and hockey field tactics came into play in order to get their hands on those flowers. Although I didn't exactly catch the posy, a swift sidestep out of the tussle was well timed, since a slightly bruised lily from the Duchess of Cambridge’s bouquet landed at my feet. I shall take this, Dear Reader, as an omen of good things to come in my quest for true love in a world full of dummies!

For more details on the Royal Wedding Exhibition please visit http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/

DownTown

2011-06-06T14:55:00.000-07:00

Miss Mannequin, as you may have gathered has little need for sleep. This is especially handy in a city that also never sleeps; for there is so much that must be seen and done.

New York City's vibrant energy, rapid pulse and constantly morphing retail landscape invite me to explore every neighbourhood, cool hunting out little tidbits of style for you, dear reader.

You may think I'm an uptown girl, but you'd be wrong to pigeonhole me so quickly. DownTown, remains for me the most rewarding part of Manhattan where boundaries are pushed ever outwards and streets appropriated one by one into the marvellous theatre that is New York. I would not even be offended to be labelled bridge and tunnel these days, for DUMBO, Williamsburg, Cobble Hill and many more "villages" quicken to pulse and please the eye as much as any polished area on Manhattan Island itself.

Billy Reid

Anthropologie

Partners and Spade

Miss Mannequin took little hikes between coffee bar and teashop, soaking up new retail views and seeking out the unusual. I also saw a number of great exhibitions: Richard Serra drawings at the MET, Lynda Benglis's glitter encrusted shapes dripping from the Walls of the New Museum and Ren Koolhaus's Chronocaos exhibit in the Bowery, which turned vintage on it's head pondering the question, at what point does authenticity meet gentrification: one mans renovation is another mans preservation I guess!

All Saints

Kiosk

My brief trip revealed that MEATPACKER powers ever on, populating it's cobbled streets with store after store of upwardly mobile brands and concepts. Miss Mannequin applauded the windows at Anthropologie - a sensational tribute to cork! NOLITA continues to have the sweetest little boutiques, cute and girly, with cupcakes and flat whites on virtually every corner. NOHO is acquiring some great new spaces, mixed retail concepts and the stores with edgier labels (all this makes for fabulous and creative presentation). The BOWERY resonates with gritty energy, arty installations and long walks to secure small nuggets of edginess. The LOWER EAST SIDE never misses...defiantly exciting the senses with unique concept stores and newbie brands galore, whilst away off the island...WILLIAMSBURG's gentle low rise laid back hipster style enthrals and intrigues you all at once.

John Varvartos at CBGB's

Bag

Long may the edgier areas survive and prosper, each bringing unique flavour to the bland mainstream and genuinely creative thought to fashion, retail and in my case visual presentation....NEW YORK, I salute you.

Bedford Cheese Shop

McNally's Book Store

Uptown Girl

2011-06-05T14:53:00.000-07:00

As if straight out an chapter of Sex and the City, Miss Mannequin is most at home sashaying up Madison Avenue in some frivolously delicious outfit, dangling a presumptuous handbag from one wrist whilst window shopping with the best of them.

The opportunity therefore, to bring you an update from uptown was just too good to miss, I caught a cab over to the Metropolitan Museum and after viewing the McQueen Retrospective, meandered happily back down Madison Avenue towards Barneys. Weather perfect and footwear fine, I soon noted a curious parade of well-heeled women leading small dogs, all of whom appeared to be wearing shoes! Manolas for dogs? well not exactly: more like exquisite baby bootees in every style and colour under the sun. I later discovered a doggie spa...yes really (on Lafayette St), complete with tiny pooch being given a massage on a proper spa bed in the glass fronted sanctuary. The array of day beds and doggie couture was fascinating. See more at their website Urban Canis

The Urban Canis Doggie Spa

Poochie Posing Couch!

On the whole Madison I have to say was tame. It was everything I have come to expect from this area of New York...and nothing more. Luxurious, discreet and attentive service, invisibility of price tags (well, if you need to ask)! all concur to assure one that you have arrived. However arriving was exactly the problem...there were few customers that I could see in any of the stores. Interiors, presentation, windows...all tame. Pared back? or simply boring? I could not make up my mind. Barneys was it's usual lovely self. Again however, restrained rather than edgy...it left Miss Mannequin sadly uninspired. This said, I do have to comment that I wholly admire the standard of dressing at Ralph Lauren. Always perfectly presented, restrained chic, never deviating from the groomed formula.

Exquisite attention to detail at Ralph Lauren

Distinctive styling at Ralph Lauren Home

Trotting across to 5th Avenue, the crowd-swell picked up a little. A Plus-Star (as always), to the windows at Bergdorfs, showing the McQueen outfits that didn't quite make it to the MET retrospective. The beautiful Takishamaya store has now become Forever 21 (a bit like having Primark on Old Bond St really)! Remarkably busy, just slightly out of place. The Hollister storefront beguiled me: a flat screen facade of monitors channeling a live feed of surfers from Huntingdon beach. Hollister shopfront  The interiors echoed a pier at dusk, drawing the customer unknowingly into this total retail experience. Not the most exciting product...but top marks for first rate concept and presentation. On the whole 5th Avenue felt very conservative. The stores all seemed to have the same collection of merchandise, same colours, laid out in the same way. The windows still filled with gloss white Schlappi style figures, few realistic mannequins...and these were generally a lacklustre very obvious wig and boring make up. Bustforms mostly showing vintage finishes or clean calico covered. i wish i could tell you otherwise!

Bergdorf Goodman windows - showing McQueen Archive on a floor covered in white roses dripping in wax

Shopping is all well and good, but I have to say the highlight of the day for Miss Mannequin was the Dawn raid on the MET, in order to be first in line on day three of Savage Beauty - The Alexander McQueen Retrospective. Stunning, emotional, overwhelming, simply gorgeous are all words that come to mind: truly this is a breathtaking exhibit. Six rooms of sartorial magnificence, each as glorious as the last. This man's work takes ones breath away at times...as indeed does the exhibit setting created here. My very good friends at proportion london created the bustforms for the tailoring room, darkly distressed, they presented the outfits well. Get on a plane and go see this show...for I am informed that it is very unlikely to travel to the UK.

Image courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

View Curator Andrew Boulton walking and talking you through the collection at this link Savage Beauty Tour

Further adventures tomorrow, when i'll tell you what happened when I explored downtown and joined the "bridge and tunnel" gang!

I'll take Manhattan!

2011-06-03T01:29:00.000-07:00

Darlings...

It really was just too dull (after that wonderful wedding last month) to be sitting around Mannequin Towers moping about failing to catch the bouquet (that Chelsey has sharp elbows, I'll say)! My new beau METROpolitan man, sulked all the way home because Pippa didn't catch his eye at the reception: Well really, what did he expect, with half of Bougies in attendance!

To quell my boredom, I booked a flight to New York to do some retail research and bring you the latest news from the other side of the pond: and Who better qualified as commentator on all things shopping than I? (if only they would make it an Olympic sport, I'd be in with a gold medal chance next Summer)!

Lobby at The Ace Hotel

Staying mid-town, my common-room de jour

was the extremely fabulous Ace Hotel www.acehotel.com/newyork

On track (at 29th and Broadway) and on trend as the hottest room in Manhattan at present, the lobby was the epitome of cool, heaving with arty types blogging, skyping, coffeeing and generally checking each other out. This hub of urban connectivity has the best decorated rooms, 2 great restaurants, coffee shop supreme and two of the best new boutique concepts in NYC now (Project No.8 and Opening Ceremony).

Graffiti walls at the beautifully decorated Ace Hotel

Upon arrival, I hit the ground running; spending four days strolling the streets, sauntering the sidwewalks and checking out...well the checkouts! So, here's my little take on Life in the Big Apple at present.

The most obvious trait Miss Mannequin noted straight off was the serious sting recession has left on the city. Empty shopfronts in previously busy areas alarmed and this I guess is further exacipated by the development of online retail. Conversely, I saw newer retail areas that were positively thriving: lower rents, creative retail concepts and plenty of trendy eateries all contributed. Much like London, the spread of must-see areas sprawls ever wider across Manhattan (and indeed out over the bridges) in a series of connected villages, each a piece of the retail action.

Madison Square Gardens

Interestingly, NYC has never struck me as being a laid back, stress free kind of place. this trip, I was struck by the bike lanes! Yes really...200 miles of them, in prep for a proposed public bike scheme which could start as early as Spring 2012. Secondly, divided off section of avenues, furnished with (alarmingly green) cafe tables and chairs caught my eye. People loved it...they socialised in the sunshine, chatting and laughing and not looking particularly eager to jump for the clock! Was this really clockwatching, time is money New York? This air of laid-backness was further enhanced by the sheer amount of urban art and plantings! Giant coloured metal roses appeared to blow along Park Avenue, a serene elongated head was parked centre of Madison Square Gardens, the Highline (a repurposed train track above the meatpacker district) buzzed with urban sunbathers and small children pic-nicing with their parents! Miss Mannequin was impressed.

The HighLine - a whole new world above the Meatpacker District

Back in retail-land the stores were far from busy in the traditional old school shopping areas. Staff were uber-attentive and there was not an afternoon that passed where (almost in a synchronised action) wine and cupcakes where whipped out from under a counter at 3pm on the dot. I chanced upon five such parties in three days! I had the impression that an by 5pm the streets would be filled with tipsy women staggering home loaded with totally inappropriate purchases!

Tomorrow I shall give you the Uptown retail round-up and tell you about my trip to the MET (for the Alexander McQueen Retrospective).

until then good evening...or as i believe they say in New York, Hang Loose Dude!

Clerkenwell Design Week

2011-05-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

Buoyed up (and thoroughly exhausted) by the royal wedding festivities earlier in the month, Miss Mannequin took a whirlwind trip to New York to recover!! More about this later in the week as I bring you my take on retail and VM in the big apple (and who better to comment on the state of shopping than I)!

A flurry of scuffling in the showroom here at mannequin towers has alerted my attention to the fact that Clerkenwell Design Week is upon us. We have three open days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) this week and perhaps an impromtu cheeky drinkie or two during the afternoons!

The roll call of locations and events is awesome - for more specific information check out the event website at
http://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/
with a more specific day list at http://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/whats-on/time-table/

be lovely to see you at the showroom ... do please drop by if you are in the area

A Right Royal Celebration

2011-04-29T01:38:00.000-07:00

Darlings,

I'm here, I'm here .... how fabulous it all is, i've been up half the night getting my hair done, but it is all worth it.

Miss Mannequin (and all at proportion>london) wish Prince William and the newly named Duchess of Cambridge a marvellous day.

Enjoy the celebrations wherever you are ... i know i shall!

Royal wedding fever

2011-04-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

Hello my dear readers!

Since the Palace have now issued the official seating plan, there is something I feel I simply must share with you …. As I am sure you’re aware, my fabulous friend William is getting married on Friday. The wedding is THE event of the decade (to which of course I am invited, I mean I haven’t actually received my invitation yet… one can only assume that there’s a delay in the post)?!

William and I go way back, having first met through proportion>london’s sister company GEMS STUDIO in 2008. The Gems team created a marvellous bespoke sculpt of the prince for Canada’s premier wax museum: The Royal London Wax Museum, for show alongside a sculpt of his mother princess Diana. We struck up a huge friendship whilst working on this project, the story of which is on the Gems Studio website: Prince William sculpt story and it surely can’t be long before Kate and I are also good buddies!

The anticipation of scouring the seating plan to find out who I shall be seated beside is just too exciting. Elton John, Guy Ritchie (if only you’d hung in there longer Madge!) Mario Testino, Rowan Atkinson or maybe even the Beckham’s; the possibilities are endless and oh so tantalising! Guess I’ll just have to wait and see… the official guest list

Anyway more to the point… what should one wear to such a distinguished affair?? With this dilemma firmly on my mind, I popped off on a whirlwind spree to Regent St yesterday with my Mark, my darling driver. Regent St really does set a regal scene lined with union flags and there is a distinct feeling of romance in the air. Like a moth drawn to a flame Miss Mannequin was pulled towards all things shiny in my search for the perfect diamond accessories (after all it is a Royal wedding so I simply must wear diamonds). In the final mix, I will be wearing … Tiara (check); long gloves (check); slinky dress (check); vintage fur stole (check). Which leads me to the other great debate of the day … who shall I take as my guest? My new man METROpolitan is my dreamy choice to accompany me to the Abbey. Perhaps he will turn out to be my very own Prince Charming …..

recovering, redecorating, relaunching!!!

2011-04-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

It's all go over at the showroom this week! A hive of busy bees ..... painting, glueing, lighting and generally remaking over my apartment ready for the relaunch on Tuesday.
I'm having my fair share of make-over too dear readers. Along with all my fibre-glass chums, I've had a spray over (well I was away in Germany a while and one does get so dusty travelling!). My new skin tone is glowing and dewy, I'm eyeing up the wig box next to me (which i know will contain a treat from those fabulous wigmakers the Darvills) and I'm waiting for my make up artist Georgie to pop in this weekend to touch up my new lashes!

Apparently, we will all be on show from Tuesday. Three open-days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-5pm each day) of meeting and greeting the clients with something sparkly in my hand! I love it. Do pop in and catch up with me ... there is so much to see, I don't know where to start myself.

Oh well .... back to work with the duster - lots to do before you all get here for breakfast on Tuesday
Do hope you can make it ... I'll look out for you!
ta ta
Miss S

EUROSHOP awaits...and maybe a new romance!

2011-01-25T01:15:00.000-08:00

Miss Mannequin is getting ready for her trip to EUROSHOP

There's a distinctly vibrant buzz of activity at Mannequin Towers this week as the proportion london team begin earnest preparations for a round of new collection launches happening during the Spring.

Miss Mannequin has her mind on other things, knowing that I will shortly be jetting off to Dusseldorf in Germany for that triennal retail extravaganza, EUROSHOP. Anyone who's anyone in the VM industry is sure to be there, soaking up the many and varied and ideas proffered, perusing the new designs being shown and generally networking like crazy with the rest of the industry!

Fortunately, I will be situated away from the footstomping hurly-burly of the main showground within the welcoming surrounds of the nearby Asthetik and Design showroom. With their dedicated taxi service (sadly not with my usual driver Mark) to run me back and forth from the Messe, hot and cold running refreshments and a plethora of wonderful new collections for company, I shall be in my element and do urge you to pop over for a chat and a glass of something sparkling!

The excitement builds; in the meantime here’s a link for information: proportion london in Dusseldorf) and I’ll have more news about the show shortly.

I’m also rather excited about the impending launch of a rather fabulous new male mannequin (who Miss Mannequin has spied across the showroom and can't wait to be introduced to)! He’s super gorgeous, named METROpolitan and who knows...romance may well be in the air!

A true sale bargain - two for the price of one!

2010-12-31T10:54:00.000-08:00

Filling up the lazy days betwixt Christmas and the new year (whilst the showroom boiler has been malfunctioning) has been something of an ordeal I can tell you Dear Reader. A few short personal window appearances aside (well I wouldn't usually do sale, but the lack of radiator action drove me out), I also took the opportunity to visit a number of fabulous exhibitions and see some truly spectacular shows.

Sales are actually quite vulgar in Miss Mannequin's opinion, But take a tip from me (And I like to think I'm in the know), for a genuine 24-carat SALE bargain. The Design Museum just south of Tower Bridge is currently showing two great exhibitions, FOR WHICH THEY WILL CHARGE YOU ONLY ONCE!

"John Pawson - Plain Space" (open until 30th January) is a super insight into the projects of this brilliant architect who defined a style and set the pace for so many interior designers and stylists who followed. His influence even tipped over into the fashion arena where minimalistic clothing following his strictly outlined aesthetic.

Alongside houses and retail spaces, his redoubtable skills saw the conception and build of an astounding monastery in the Czech Republic and outdoor structures, most notably the Sackler crossing in Kew Gardens. Simplicity, clarity and a decisive vision can be clearly detected in the many designs and models on show. Miss Mannequin peeked over the dinky back fence of his Georgian London house and was delighted by the opportunity to take an eye-squinting Gulliver style tour of his home without getting caught in the act!

Miss Mannequin stood on tippy toe and peered over the back fench to bring you this exclusive snap of the inside of John Pawson's house.
(Note: no smelly old rubbish sacks languishing in his back garden!)

Downstairs meanwhile,the "Drawing Fashion" exhibition (which ends 6th march) further thrilled Miss M, with a divine history of the illustrative art of fashion plates from the early 20th century masters through the golden age and forward into the current millenium. Erte, George Lepape and Rene Grau originals were on show, alongside those of many, many other notably talented illustrators.

Videos further enhanced the experience; François Berthoud's awesome lino prints for McQueen and Antonia Lopez speaking from his studio particularly caught my attention. Looking forward; Miss M adored new work by Aurore de La Morinerie.

Go see and grab this true bargain BOGOF (that's buy one get one free to you)!

Let me know which other exhibitions caught your eye this year.

So until next year, toodle-pip and happy hogmanaying

Miss Mannequin

Casa del Bottere - scale model of the chapel

(My Blue Peter models never looked this good! - Miss M)

Casa del Bottere scale models - to test light effects at different times of day

Dressed to thrill....F&M, a Christmas tradition

2010-12-23T03:53:00.000-08:00

This week, after completing her epic Christmas card mail out (lucky you, if you received one), Miss Mannequin got in touch with her festive spirit whilst doing a spot of shopping in London's West-end (well Piccadilly actually).

My charming chauffeur Mark dropped me off at the corner of Fortnum and Mason's (in order that I could pop in for a pudding)! The front windows were of course stunning as always, this year depicting various works of art cleverly brought to life by the store's talented window trimmers. Gorgeous. What also struck me were the breathtaking side windows. I was captivated and entranced by the intricate enchanted forest theme, featuring layer upon layer of clever backdrops, propping and styling which led you on a journey through magical scenes. Look closely and you will find; a mouth watering feast set on a grand table full of epicurean treats, a cosy fireplace and library in the midst of an intricate collection of treasures (concentrate hard and you may even notice a short sighted owl wearing spectacles) and if you are following your map correctly dear reader, you will come across a secret boudoir filled with chic delights that Miss Mannequin would be delighted to find in her Christmas stocking! I telephoned Visual Director Paul Symes to find out more. Apparently, this side run of windows had been designed by his right hand lady, Sallie Greenhill. Working with a very slim budget, she spent four months of sketching, sourcing and prop-building to assemble this visual treat, whilst he concentrated on the art-themed front run. Creatively thought through and with a charming ambience, I feel sure you will agree than Sallie (and of course Paul) has done a fantastic job. Do pop by ... and let me know about other Xmas windows you have found inspiring.

Greetings of the Season!

2010-12-07T01:00:00.000-08:00

Miss Mannequin would like to wish you all

the Seasons Greetings

we hope your Christmas installations have all been a huge success ....

sale is a few weeks off, so kick back and enjoy the festivities .... i know i will!

New Change or NO CHANGE?

2010-11-22T06:19:00.000-08:00

As you all know, I live on the outskirts of London's busy city area in my glamorous showroom apartment. Live-work was never so stylish, let me tell you! Now, most retailers barely enter the Square Mile (likely traumatised by the fashion faux-pas of suit and trainer city types)! But dear reader, we must all shop!
With this in mind, last month saw the opening of One New Change - a petite shopping mall right on the doorstep of the city. In the interests of keeping you all informed, Miss Mannequin smartly sidestepped the city boys this weekend to inspect this latest adventure in retailing.
On rounding the bend at St Pauls, the facade of the building is indeed inpressive, contrasting rather alarmingly with the stately profile of the cathedral itself. Indeed the adjacency to St Pauls feels most peculiar! Given, if I lived in Milan or Rome I should probably be used to this type of thing. But i do wonder what the clergy make of it (apart from the shortened proximity to an inexpensive prawn sandwich, of course)!

Populated with the usual suspects - mid-range multiple fashion brands, everyones favorite food hall, suit, shirt and city paraphanalia suppliers of every persuasion, the usual small cafes and 2 heavyweight restaurants- Jamie Olivers barbecoa and Gordon on his way soon! Interestingly Jamie has also opened a butchery (is this indicating a new hunter gatherer trend pandering to men? or just an update on the male creche from the usual sports bar)! Whichever, it was very popular. The centre itself was strangely laid out - escalators took you up and into each floor easily enough - but getting out was another thing. Shoppers seemed to be milling around the lifts looking puzzled, as indeed was I, there were no obvious stairs to be located. I eventually escaped in a forgotten lift to the side of the top floor, wondering what would happen in an evacuation! I generally thought that New Change would serve a purpose, for that frantic dash for a handbag, tie or baguette at lunchtime, destination, however it was not .......... NEW CHANGE or NO CHANGE.... i ask myself?

New Change Shopping Mall - with spectacular views over St Pauls!

My new official portrait

2010-11-08T01:58:00.000-08:00

Thought i would share my new official photograph with you.

Taken by my good friend Mervyn at a recent photo shoot (more on that later chaps).

Don't i look fabulous!

Revived!

2010-09-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Miss Mannequin is back from her recent jaunt around the Med, fortified and tanned to a crisp in readiness for the new season.
In Autumnal anticipation and preparation, i have consumed all the latest magazines and blogs, updated on the best trends and looks and trialed endless new looks in search of the latest sartorial Raison d'être.
In the event i have decided to keep channelling what i do best which as you all know is glamour and feathers. My discovery that the divine 60's boutique BIBA has relaunched this week sends shivers of excitemnet down my fibreglass spine. Slinky silks, gorgeous sophisticated off-colours and spangly sequins have all manifested in a wonderfully evocative shopfit that send me right back to my days posing in the big window down Kensington High Street.

My lovely friends over at proportion>london supplied some stunning accessory presenters to showcase the ostrich jackets and feather neckpieces (amongst other key items). If you are passing a House of Fraser Store, pop in and catch up on all the groovy goodies.

I'm just an old fashioned girl

2010-08-09T01:31:00.000-07:00

Miss Mannequin takes in the delights of St Tropez harbour. All glamorous here, worried that i am overdoing the tan!

Miss mannequin is now away from her desk....

2010-08-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

There will now be a short intermission whilst Miss Mannequin cruises the hot-spots of the Mediterranean.

Please amuse yourselves, we will resume the broadcast shortly!

Baked to a colour of your choice!

2010-08-05T03:28:00.000-07:00

Bored with my quest for true love - I have decided that a holiday is a much better pursuit to passing the tropical summer months whilst the whole of retail is engulfed in sale mode. Miss Mannequin is welcome at the world's top resorts (most especially those with upmarket boutiques!) and I feel a roam round the med would not be unpleasant. Clothes to pack for the trip is no problem for me - as the windows I appear in are invariably linked to stores with the finest apparel. Shoes and accessories...ditto.

Likewise travel arrangements are both swift and discreet (Miss Mannequin could never be seen loitering in a departure lounge, cappuccino in hand). My driver Mark instead drops me directly at the terminal, encased in a softly bubble lined casket designed to keep me warm and snug throughout my journey. I even wear a spongey mask to ensure my make up is journey fresh upon arrival. This way i can slip discreetly from country to country without hassle or damage to my delicate image! No dear reader...the conundrum for Miss Mannequin is really the colour of suntan i should return to. Never one to be ostentatious or out of step with current trends - far from it, Miss Mannequin is expected to set the tones for fashion conscious window models across the globe. In my pursuit of the perfect sultry tone i am perusing the latest colour charts from Dulux. Once chosen, these will be forwarded to my fantastic body-work expert in anticipation of a quick sand down and full body respray upon my return and ready for the new season. My body man is Italian and very stylish, he knows a good body colour when he sees one! See left my shortlist - I'll take the full Dulux swatch book of course, to pass the time on the journey, it might be a long one.

Adieu for now and I'll catch up with you upon my return later in the month.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you all

Miss Mannequin

ps - by the way, just a little thought - if like me you want an all over summer glow for your next window debut - contact my lovely people at the bodyspray shop. They'll be glad to help! http://www.proportionlondon.com/bg6-12-27-Renovations

Miss Mannequin's quest for the perfect man

2010-07-12T05:17:00.000-07:00

Miss Mannequin is love weary this week and on a quest for true love.

Living as I do at my fabulous bachelorette showroom space in London's Clerkenwell area, I can't help but feeling that life is almost idyllic, but for the addition of a Mister Mannequin, a fabulous fibreglass Adonis of flawless nature to share all the glamour with. In my quest for this perfection I have engaged the services of a matching service .... Mannequin Mates! They have promised me bodies of beauty and intellect: ideally suited to my sparkling shopfront lifestyle.

A small packaged arrived early this morning with details of the first set of the dates. I tell you all this in strictest confidence of course, but feel oh privileged reader that help is needed to pin down the consummate candidate. Of course Miss Mannequin is looking for good looks, coupled with a sharp intellect and wit (well who wouldn't. All those endless hours gazing out of Selfridges windows. I can't end up with a dummy as company can I)?

Anyway, take a look at the first bunch and let me know what you think? The middle one looks cute!

Footnote - I've not completely made up my mind about this agency .... not that i'm judging .... Just hoping the next package is arriving soon!

Stanley Green and his punk connection!

2010-06-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, Miss Mannequin has to admit that she's a figure of some mature years! You would never guess this ordinarily, buoyed up as i am by regular remodelling work and seasonal style makeovers.

I tell you this oh trusted reader to prepare the way for asking - who remembers Stanley Green?

No?...... Strikes no memory?

Then if i then ask - who remembers Protein Man? the mists must surely part a little?

Stanley Green - god bless him, plodded diligently up and down the street of the fleshpots (Oxford Street) from the late 60's until his sad demise in the 90's. He was the stoically bespectacled one, a sinister-looking capped man in a mac bizarrely parading his banner campaigning for eating less of ..... well, most things it would seem!

He was such a regular on the shopping streets of W1 that he was barely noticed and became part of the scenery. Always severe looking and considered to be a bit oddball - but prone to the odd smile when photographed.

Little more is known about him, but I discovered his love-worn (and much sellotaped) banner on my recent visit to the newly refitted Museum of London. This image shows the late 70's version of his message (the sixties version included lentils!).

What i cannot help but notice .... is the odd similarily in form of Stanley's pre punk graphic style to the New York punk fabric designs of designer Stephen Sprouse. Bold and strong, edge to edge, they both fill the space with handcrafted letters on a black background, each with a no nonsense message to impart and a lifelong compulsion to follow it through!

What Miss mannequin ponders is this.... Was there any connection?

Did Stanley hang out with Stephen, Debbie Harry and Warhol?? Did Stephen get inspiration from Stanley on his many trips to London? The mind boggles ..... Miss Mannequin WILL get to the bottom of this mystery.

The curious tale of Lester and Cynthia - a model love affair

2010-06-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

I have a strange and most wonderful anecdote to share with you about a long distant great aunt of mine, Cynthia.

Living in New York during the 1930s, she was the muse to an avant-garde sculptor, Lester Gaba. Lester was by profession a soap sculptor! What a marvellously eccentric occupation in itself. Super talented and mixing in all the right circles, he was commissioned to sculpt a set of mannequins for a store window. These stylish debutante type figures became an instant hit. A marked departure from their predecessors (heavy, lumpen grande-dames from a bygone era), they became known as The Gaba Girls and every hip store wanted one.

Lester (feeling the Victor Frankenstein urge I suppose) was compelled to create his ultimate dream-girl, my auntie Cynthia, a beautiful socialite mannequin, beguiling yet detached, she was always posed to model perfection with a cigarette constantly held aloft.

Lester and Cynthia were the toast of New York society. So much so that Lester could not bear to be separated from this gorgeous creature. Ever the romantic, she became his constant companion and was transported with him wherever he went........Dates to the opera, The Stork Club, rides around the city on open top buses, nothing was too good for Aunt Cynthia. He and all of New York were truly besotted. Cartier and Tiffany lent her jewels to wear on their outings. Couturiers rushed to clothe her for their various jaunts. They were like the Posh and Becks of their day, feted wherever they went.

What’s wrong with all that you may think? Well, Aunt Cynthia may have appeared a modern girl on the outside (all light, fluffy and vivacious), but the terrible truth be told.....she was infact made of plaster! 3 men had to be constantly on hand to shift her from venue to venue. Running repairs were a constant nightmare, to say nothing of the fear of damp weakening her joints! Her health began to deteriorate. The tale takes a downward turn here, along with her health. The love affair ended in disaster, when Cynthia visited a beauty salon with Lester and dramatically slipped off a chair to be shattered into a hundred pieces. Poor Lester, he was never the same again!

A cautionary tale I think. Let me advise you……..be very careful about your fittings and more importantly, the company you keep.

Good day.

This is a museum ..... not a snoozeum!

2010-06-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

After my recent jaunt out to take in the sites of the town last week, Miss Mannequin is thrilled to report on what is happening over at The Museum of London, where five gloriously informative galleries have recently been relaunched. Not even a mile from my Barbican showgirl's home, this magnificent institution charts life in our fair capital. From the Great Fire of London onwards, the lower galleries tell the tale of the developments and grand schemes of London and more importantly perhaps, the everyday lives of its citizens. Miss Mannequin was most especially fascinated by the costumes and paraphernalia of London society (high and low brow) and came across many of my old mannequin mates.

A particular highlight was the beautifully engineered Pleasure Gardens gallery (of which i showed you a sneak preview last week), where Miss Mannequin imagined how much more interesting life was during the 18th and 19th Centuries when pleasure gardens were the height of novelty and fashion. Privately owned and often sited on the outskirts of great cities, pleasure gardens could be accessed (at a small fee) for the public to take a turn in, enjoying tree lined avenues, fountains, orchestras amongst the greenery and the like. Imagine taking refreshment in a night-time walled garden with fireworks popping overheard as you admire the fashion parade passing by you. Quite delightful. Miss Mannequin wholly approves and thinks we should resurrect such amusement immediately .... on the other hand, is that not what shopping malls and high streets have become these days? Not quite the same me-thinks!

The other high-point i want to tell you about from the galleries, is the exquisite mantua style Fanshawe dress on display. Named after it's owner (former Mayoress Anne Fanshawe), this beautifully preserved garment is exhibited on a cutaway mannequin (it takes all kinds - invisibility was never my thing though!). This wide, but narrow style of dress was popular around 1750 and held it shape with the aid of a panniered underskirt constructed from whalebone. Taking up to six months to weave the fabric alone, the expanse of material could be grandly displayed to show not only its beauty, but also the wealth of its owner! A bit of a problem for getting into carriages however!

Miss mannequin admired many other exhibits and will divulge more soon. In the meantime, you really should visit and .... don't forget to let me know what you think.

The Museum of London is at London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN

Day Release (a whole 24 hours)!

2010-05-28T00:56:00.000-07:00

Miss Mannequin is out treading the boards today ....... up and down the highways and byways of olde London Town, checkin' out the sites and meeting the mannequins!

The Museum of London throws open its doors this morning, unveiling 5 stunning new galleries, Sarah Jessica and gal pals put on a show later in the new Sex in the City movie and last (but never least!) Louis Vuitton lock back the hallowed portals of their new Bond Street store this morning, revealing goodies galore for the monied masses! Will i see you on my travels ... i do hope so

More from me, reporting back to you .. shortly x

Penthouse to Pavement, Museum to Mall!

2010-05-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

Miss Mannequin is all of a dither this week, thinking how to work the traumatic double booking that has occurred in next week's diary. How can it be that two so momentous occasions have colluded to take place on the same day: 28th May? Both in her hometown and both with her presence at their launch essential.

Firstly, the launch of the new galleries at her museum of choice: The Museum of London. But a hop, skip and jump away from my showroom on the cusp of the city, this beguiling museum is opening five new galleries featuring some fantastically co-ordinated stories documenting the lives, occupations and pastimes of Londoners throughout the ages. With a wealth of stunning costumes and artefacts on show (from the Lord Mayor's coach to an exquisite Fanshawe dress), the galleries document the drama of London’s rich history from The Great Fire right through to the present day. I am especially interested, as my good friends at Gems Studio provided 167 custom made mannequins for this ambitious venture. The whole show is capped with a Pleasure Gardens inhabited by the most beautiful array of period costumes, topped off with gorgeous wire wigs by the talented Yasemen Hussein and delicious hat confections by brilliant Philip Treacy. How could I possibly stay away?

On the other hand 28th May brings about that other great fashionista event of this year - the launch of Sex in The City Pt 2! (Without this movie Miss Mannequin would cease to be so relevant)! The whirlygig of excitement is just too much to bear!!.

But wait a moment – I have the solution. If I plan carefully, I could do both. That’s it – I’ll slip over to St Pauls for the opening of the Museum of London in the A.M. gliding round the galleries, taking notes and improving my mannequin brain, then transfer to the West End in the P.M. for a glittery movie-fest of unrivalled glamour. What fun. I’ll meet you at the museum doors at 10am – you’ll recognise me, I’ll be the stunning blonde with the immaculate pout and a glass base plate under my arm!

The Pleasure Gardens at The Museum of London.

Snake Charming!

2010-04-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

I was up early this morning, vaguely flicking the duster around the showroom in a mock attempt to have a spring clean along our skirting, when my lovely chauffeur Mark popped in to catch up on news. "Fancy a trip into town Duchesse" he said "I'm not so busy this morning and the weather's beautiful" (it has been such glorious weather in London this past week). Such a nice man - where would i be without him? Now this was a timely suggestion, as I wanted to see the newly installed windows at Alexander McQueen, so I found a darling little lilac cardi in the sample cupboard to slip on under my boa and away we went.

Bond Street is a wonderful place early on a sunny morning, quiet and pristine before the masses arrive (and we were there almost before the streets had been aired)! A beautifully fitting tribute to Lee McQueen has been mounted in the window of the company's Bond St Boutique, which you really must get along and see. To showcase the Darwinesque SpringSummer10 collection, the visual team have installed a snake-fest of writhing elegance! Python skinned, snake-hipped mannequins (which were commissioned from those wonderful magicians over at BODYLINE) were dressed in the most shapely outfits featuring an eye-popping spectrum of colour and marvellously morphed snakeskin, butterfly wing and marbled prints. As if that were not enough, to my great delight, they have squeezed and shoehorned the figures into divine high shine metallic hooves, where they teetered and beguiled against a backgound of squirming snakes.

Now I shall tell you, Miss Mannequin is not partial to any form of serpent (and Mark was a bit non-plussed by the shoes), but these windows are really quite stunning to behold. Slip down there and catch them whilst you can......ooh, and how did they get those mannequins into the hoof shoes, you may wonder? I do know.....but lets just say.....its the McQueen team's little secret!

Exotic reptilian make-up underpins this display of vibrant colour and print at the McQueen Bond St store

I'm ready for my close up now Mr DeMille!

2010-04-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

To be honest ... it's all been a tiny bit boring at the showroom during the Easter holidays. No glamorous clients popping in to visit, so no industry gossip to listen into, not even the reassuring tip-tip-tapping of the computers as they notch up another order. I never thought i'd really miss them, but without the hurly burly of the sales team coming on like the stock exchange on steriods and the scatty om om chanting of the design team pondering on their next great development ... it's simply a little bit dull. I sauntered into the sales office to pass some time looking for a new outfit online and suddenly found myself going through some old photos. I found these in the image bank which i thought i'd share with you from a past photoshoot. Well it can't hurt can it - they'll never know.

Have you ever been to a mannequin shoot? We have them all the time at the showroom. What fun they are ... me and the gang striking a few poses for the next brochure etc. I quite like it ... it means we get a full make-over in the latest look. Those wig-making wonders, the D'villes, send over some lovely new confections for us and the wonderful Georgy boy pops in to gloss me over with whatever the latest must have look in make-up is (he always has the best new lip colours and the juiciest gossip)! Lovely Mervin (my magic photographer) and that sweet kooky sidekick of his, Miss K, rock up equipped with camera, lights and umpteen bits of high-tech computer equipment to score a few shots of us in action.

Here's a shoot that we did a while back that was based on some Victorian body shapes. Very moody and retro, you can see the inspiration pics above (i think they'd been watching Tim Burton movies that week)!

Mervin brought a fabulous smoke machine and did some great pics of my pal Genevive posing in front of the smog. I love the moody shadows on the floor too. The smoke did get a bit overwhelming at one point - i think they must have forgotten that it was still belching out fog (you can just see me wheezing to the right of the set if you look hard - and to think i gave up smoking over a year ago).

Anyway, i don't think they did a bad job, it made a nice brochure cover and even stretched to a super Christmas card. I'm looking forward to the next shoot - i've got a few poses in mind!!

Well, until we meet again - toodle pip, and don't eat too many chocolate eggs or you'll never squeeze into that new spring outfit either!

An enchanting afternoon

2010-03-28T03:22:00.000-07:00

Thinking about the joys of spring yesterday and the sudden upturn in the weather, I tripped out with my good friend Mr B for a sojourn around Kensington Palace. Public transport aside! (sadly my jolly chauffeur Mark does not work on Saturdays), Mr B and I met at the gates of the Enchanted Palace exhibition and enchanted it certainly was. Fanciful goings on are definitely going on there, with an awe inspiring set of installations within the palace rooms set parallel with a clutter of builders paraphernalia (i guess they were getting on with things behind the plastic).

We were warned upon entry that no photography was allowed (otherwise burly security men would be dispatched to wrestle us to the ground! I lived in hope and opened my shutter wide)! That aside, we were beguiled by what we saw. Some of my old mates (I spied Violetta) appeared in the Boudicca room, twirling from the chandeliers, making beautifully choreographed shadows like a fantastic video projected on the madly patterned and gilded walls.

Dame Viv had run up a stunning frock for a rebel princess (that’s me!) back-dropped against a spooky staircase (I loved the black lace drapes over the lanterns – so Pearl Lowe). To be honest, I was a bit over the knitted throne, having only got to Holly Golightly level in knitting classes perhaps I was just not appreciating it properly. There was a fabulous dress on wheels by Echo Moran – the wheels could be a great asset for a girl! and a cabinet and a half of curiosities. Loved the tiny shoes presented in glass domes (yes I know glass domes are definitely having their moment aren’t they) and the story about the feral boy kept in the palace as a pet! Imagine!!.

The Gallery of Shadows was beyond gorgeous; I danced along its entire length with the attending actors as we watched our shadows prancing across the ceiling … I loved every minute of it. You simply must go and see this exhibition soon, why not take Mr B along with you .. he’s dying to get back there to try and find those burly security men … I wonder what happened to them?

Anyway, I’m off for a well-earned rest back at the showroom, before the customers start flooding in again tomorrow, looking me over and tweaking my hem!!!

Introducing Miss Mannequin

2010-03-26T07:14:00.000-07:00

Okay people ..... you thought i had packed my bags and gone to live at Barneys didn't you? It's a tempting thought (i do so adore Simon Doonan)!
Well, i'm still here, been a bit busy with my vast social life .... so may i start by introducing myself.

My name is Miss Mannequin .... (oh it's her you are thinking). Yes it's me, my dears. You've seen me around town - posing in all the best windows, gracing the top fashion events, loitering next to the rails in those uber prestigious stores and boutiques. I'm everywhere that you would ever need to be and more!

Welcome to my little blogette ..... where i shall take you along with me on my fanciful outings, visiting places only the very priviledged get to see and taking a peek behind the window backs of all the best stores in town. I can't wait - you're going to be captivated by what you see
until our first trip then
ta ta xx

2009-10-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the SECRET life of MANNEQUINS.

Do you ever wonder what happens late at night when the stores have closed, all the shoppers have departed and all the store window lights are turned off?

Do the shop window mannequins have a life of their own? Do they converse on the day's events, the clothes they have been forced to wear? Do they discuss the latest fashion gossip, exchanging views on hair and swapping beauty tips ready for their next make-over?

We have some of the answers.........keep watching.........and we'll let you into a few of their secrets!