The Mannequal™

Perfect people

2011-04-27T03:43:00.000-07:00

Perfect people (click here)

A link to a video of Sophie discussing the Mannequal at Ink - TED India

Article (click here)

2011-04-06T02:55:00.000-07:00

Article (click here)

2011-04-06T02:53:00.000-07:00

The Mannequal®

2011-03-03T05:14:00.000-08:00

Interview

2011-02-22T11:17:00.000-08:00

‘Forgotten in Fashion’

Why the fashion and modelling industry is still resisting the integration of individuals with disabilities.

Sophie Morgan interviewed by Helen Elizabeth Worsley

Question 1. Firstly, had you ever seen or heard of a model with a visible disability before the series you were involved in, and was it something you had considered and looked into being involved in?

No I had never heard of a disabled model before I got involved with ‘Britain’s Missing Top Model’ (B.M.T.M). The concept was completely new, and I had never considered it, as it was not something that I would have been interested in as a career, disabled or not. I was attracted to the concept, which lead me to get more involved.

Question 2. Tyra Banks stated on a recently aired episode of ‘Americas Next Top Model’, ‘If you don’t fit the clothes, you don’t work.’ In my research I have discovered that this view exposed is one held by many in the high fashion industry. What is your view on this?

I have two responses to this question. The first regards the ‘high fashion’ industry that you are commenting on. The ‘high fashion’ industry is extremely elitist, and adheres to its own rules about whom should ‘fit’ the clothes they produce. Much like any other luxury goods, haute couture has to maintain an illusion of grandeur and appear exclusive so that it can demand such high prices and continue to exist. Bank’s statement comes from experience, and there is nothing wrong with stating that if a model does not flatter the clothing then she cannot work, that is a models job. However, the problem lies in the fact that most retailers will not permit a disabled model to work, even if s/he ‘fits the clothes’ – which of course some do, beautifully.

On another note however I think it is incredibly important to stress that even if the ‘high fashion’ industry behaves in this stereotypically selective way the high street should not mimic it, as our high street must enable everyone to follow the fashion that they want to. Again the same rule ought to apply that a model can only work if they can ‘fit the clothes’, but at this level it ought to be compulsory to represent every demographic fairly.

Question 3. In your opinion, what do you feel are the main reasons why areas of the fashion industry are resisting this new revolution of the inclusion of those with disabilities?

I don’t think it fair to say that the fashion industry is resisting inclusion of people with disabilities. Shops are more accessible than ever, training programmes on disability awareness are almost mandatory, goods and services are more often than not made accessible and in general we are catered for incredibly well.

The next step however is to improve on this and try to implement the use of disabled models or display products that reflect the disabled community. I have been trying to integrate a fiberglass wheelchair for a mannequin (Called a Mannequal) and so far I have been met with positive responses and support for the concept, but it takes time and careful consideration, as it is an incredibly sensitive subject. While this can be frustrating as it often impedes a shops decision to try and improve disability representation, it must be understood and accepted but ultimately challenged.

Sourcing a disabled model can be difficult as there are not many agencies that represent them, so choice can be limited. Accordingly using the product that I have designed eliminates this issue and ensures that all disabilities are represented, as the Mannequal has been designed to reflect of the symbol of disability – the wheelchair.

I also can’t help but believe that my generation, who will succeed the positions of power in the fashion industry eventually, will be more open and aware of these issues and will be able to change the system from the inside.

Question 4. One side to the debate accuses the use of disabled models as a cynical manipulation to make the brand more high profile? What are you thoughts on this?

I can understand why it may be considered as a ‘token’ gesture for using a disabled model can generate a lot of press I’m sure. Even its well-intended people will always look with cynicism and scepticism at someone’s motivation. It is significant that even the winner of the extremely popular B.M.T.M is not modeling, nor are any of the other contestants, and the successful use of a disabled model has not happened yet without the help of a highly publicised and televised campaign.

Question 5. Do you think the Fashion Industry holds the power to change the ideals of beauty? And do you think it ever will in this case?

Without question the fashion industry changes and defines what beauty is. It does this every season. If it were to represent disability in its shop windows and catalogues, then we would finally be able to prove that a juxtaposition of disability and beauty can and does exist! The power that the industry wields is beyond its own understanding, it would have the affect of normalising disability better than anything else that has happened before.

Question 6. The recent ad campaign released by Debenhams features Shannon Murray, a model in a wheelchair. This step Debenhams has taken is said to aim their clothing at a wider range of women in the UK. Do you think people would be more inclined to buy the product advertised by Shannon, rather than the average high street model? And if yes, do you think this trend would last once the publicity has quietened down?

The use of Shannon in Debenhams’s Principles range was extremely effective and successful, but again was the result of a huge campaign that has died now that the Channel 4 show has ended. However the Mannequal was featured in that same window a few weeks later, and I know that Debenhams are dedicated to changing how real women are represented and will continue to be the leading retailer in the High street to represented disability fairly.

Shannon modeled the clothing perfectly, the first example of how ‘if the clothes fit’ then the model ‘works’, and the clothes she modeled appealed to everyone, not just the disabled. Of course her picture was head turning, so the clothes she modeled would have got more attention than those worn by another generic high street model, so sales increased accordingly, but it cannot be defined as a ‘trend’ so I am unable to answer the latter question accurately.

In conclusion it feels it is only a matter of time until we start to see an improvement in how disability is considered, be it though models like Shannon or products like a Mannequal. How these changes come about are dependent on how much we want them, and how much effort we can put into realising them, as the fashion industry can’t resist change forever. It is change that improves the world in which we live.

Video of Sophie talking about the Mannequal

2010-12-29T09:44:00.000-08:00

Click on link above to watch

Interesting news article

2010-10-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

Great little article in Cosmopolitan Magazine, here's to the future!

Longer Version of Nippon News Clip (Click here)

2010-10-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

Nippon News Clip (Click here)

2010-10-27T07:47:00.000-07:00

Nippon News Clip on the Mannequal

Nippon TV

2010-09-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

Nippon TV, a Japanese news channel, filmed a feature on the Mannequal today. They were keen to find out the inspiration behind its design and how it will fit into the windows and instore displays of the world's retail giants.

Filming for the news channel with a white and red Mannequal in the background.

Filming for the news channel with a white and red Mannequal in the background

The team were keen to find out how the idea came about, how the whole project was developed and the idea taken to Debenhams as well as where the Mannequal hopes to go and how it will manage to benefit not only the customer but the retailer. The feature will air next week, and a video of it posted here soon.

DEBENHAMS LAUNCH

2010-09-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

The launch of the product is finally here! Debenhams introduced the first mannequal into its Oxford Street window display this week. See it here being styled by the visual team (please click on the images to enlarge) -

Photographs provided by Debenhams

The white Mannequal is seen here with a seated mannequin, dressed in clothes by Debenhams designers. The final images will soon be seen on the mannequal.com website but for now they will be shown here. Please click to enlarge.

Photography by Sophie Morgan

The beautiful Shannon can of course be seen in the background on the right. It is an exciting image all in all, Shannon in her chair looking incredible, and then a mannequin seated subtly in a mannequal. It is the first display of its kind in the world, let alone in the UK and to see it nestled amongst the vibrant and cutting edge displays that run the length of the busiest shopping street in the world is not only inspiring and exciting, it's a clear indication that the retail industry is beginning to change..for the better. In the 548 shops on Oxford Street, the most dense retail environment in Europe, this one window stands alone, turning shoppers heads as they go and leaving them questioning the way in which disability will be included in the future. Its a beautiful sight and we have Mark Stevens Debenhams Head of Creative, Channel 4 and Natasha Wood to thank. It's onwards and upwards!

Katie & Jo (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

2010-09-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

Katie & Jo

2010-09-02T07:05:00.000-07:00

Blue mannequal & black mannequin. Kindly donated by Mannakin Ltd.

Mannequal has had a fantastic week this week. 'Katie & Jo' a beauftiul boutique in Parsons Green in west London have featured a striking blue version which is perched in their large shop front window, seating a mannequin kindly provided by Mannakin Ltd. The sales team at Mannakin Ltd have been incredibly supportive and unbelievably generous, donating the Schlappi female for the display and working with the Mannequal team to help create a head turning and eye catching shop window.

The professional images are yet to come but below are some of the behind the scenes pictures.


Jo helping create the display

Styling the mannequin

Silhouette against the street

The window display from outside


Blue mannequal and black mannequin


Patricia Rodwell photographer - images coming soon!

Thanks in abundance to Katie and Jo, two of the kindest and most talented girls in London, whose support and time have been given so generously. Please visit the shop at 253 News Kings Road to see the mannequal in situ and buy some of their beautiful clothes!

Izovation!! (click here)

2010-07-09T06:40:00.000-07:00

See the Mannequal in 'Flare' magazine, being used for Izzy's new line!

Cleo B Photo Shoot

2010-07-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

Last week the first Mannequal arrived in the UK. Manufactured and packaged in China at Universal Displays warehouse, the chair was spotless and ready for a photo shoot.

Teaming up with Cleo B (Left) the beautiful and talented shoe designer and Richard Round Turner, Cleo's photographer, the Mannequal was rushed off to a studio in west London to take some highly anticipated product shots.

The whole team come from a very artistic back ground so the idea was to take some shots intended for the mannequal website and brochure, and use it as an excuse to get creative.

Styled by Cleo and directed by Sophie the shoot was to focus on Cleo's beautiful collection while at the same time portraying the various angles that make the Mannequal so unique. Every composition was styled to coordinate with the vibrant colours (For example Tribeca Wedge, above) of the shoes, and the stark background intended not only to draw the focus to the colours but extenuate the shape of the Mannequal, from its various angles.

It was incredibly exciting to finally seat a mannequin in the Mannequal, and see how the combination looked. The mannequins perched perfectly in the chair, the black contrasting brilliantly with the flesh and chrome colours of the mannequins and highlighting the beautiful colours of Cleo's shoes (Cleo and Richard styling the mannequin, left).

One of the most important features of the Mannequal is that it doesn't detract from the mannequin, as it is the clothing that is paramount. The Mannequal should be an extension of the mannequin it displays, and in situ should match aesthetically with the clothing that the mannequin is wearing. In this shoot however it was important that the chair stand out as these images are intended to show how the chair will work, so we had to find a balance between focusing on the shoes that the mannequins are wearing and the Mannequal itself.

Our favorite image is below (please click to enlarge). The rest of the images are on the slide show below.

Please also vote on the poll on the right if you have time! x

LIVE WEBSITE! (click here)

2010-07-07T03:25:00.001-07:00

The website is finally live!
Please check it out!

Universal Display (click here)

2010-07-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

About the Mannequal

2010-07-06T10:55:00.001-07:00

The Mannequal™ has been created to bridge one of the many gaps found in our society; the void that exists between disabled customers and the exclusive fashion world.
It was designed by Sophie Morgan who was irritated by the lack of representation of disability on the high street and decided to create a product that would call an end to disability discrimination. The Mannequal™ evolved and is the first display product of its kind - a wheelchair for a mannequin.

In the UK there are 1.94 million people, aged between 16 and 30 who have a disability and 600 million worldwide. The symbol that has come to reflect this category of person, regardless of age, colour or nationality, is the universally recognised wheelchair. While the Mannequal™ is essentially a display chair, the message of inclusivity that this will give
to all customers cannot be underestimated.

The Mannequal™ has been designed to seat both male and female mannequins of standard height and width measurements and it can be decorated and styled to coordinate aesthetically, unobtrusively and subtly with any in store display or shop window.
It is specifically designed to seat a mannequin without obstructing the view of the clothing. The mannequin can be styled in the same manner that would be used to style
any other seated mannequin.

The Mannequal™ exists as a reflection of a commitment to ensure that responsibilities have been met under the Disability Discrimination Act, and that goods and services
are accessible. The Mannequal™ clearly suggests an attitude of acceptance, and therefore reinforces the shops offer of assistance and guidance for any customer, disabled or not.