mannequin purchasing advice needed

[karpos]

Hey guys and gals,

I am starting up my own custom leather crafting shop specializing in bondage/fetish gear so I am going to need some mannequins to model it for pictures. I figure since you all are occasionally cruising for deals on mannequins and parts you all would be the folks to come to for advice. I want adult, full size mannequins that are barbie-doll anatomically correct. As in no nipples or vaginas. Where would be the best place to pick up cheap but quality dolls that I can use as display models. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

btw: I love the ingenuity you all have for making your dolls functional and real.

[lovingchanj]

Easy Beans Karpos! Happy to help:

http://www.nycdisplay.com/catalog/Manne ... c-108.html

http://www.roxydisplayinc.com/webpage/m ... /sexy.html

http://www.zingdisplay.com/Female-Sexy- ... -s/335.htm

Your idea sounds great! Good luck with it!

lovingchanj

[MannequinFan]

Hi Karpos,

I can second the recommendation for Roxy Display.
They usually have the best price on the internet, and the shipping is fast and the customer service is petty good.

Another good place is Buystoreshelving.com http://buystoreshelving.com/mannequins/index.htm
Their prices are usually a bit higher than Roxy but not always. It always pays to check different stores.
They seem to have a larger selection on certain items.

You won't find a vagina on a store bought mannequin, but most of the sexy ones do have the basic nipple shape sculpted in.

[karpos]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it. I am basically just trying to get something to display my basic items on that will not get me tossed into an adults only area on places like Ebay. I am really hoping to do LARP gear but use the bodage/fetish market to be my bread and butter market. Heck I might even ask to be a vendor here and make doll sized leather gear for those interested.

[narcissus]

I third the Roxy Display recommendation, and second the Buystorefixtures.com recommendation. The two mannequins I own right now, one is from the former, one is from the latter.

[mi6c]

My mannequin forum heroes have already given good advice and I am certainly not knowledgeable enough to give much anyway, but, that said, I would like to recommend one of their main threads that I found to be a treasure: http://www.dollforum.com/forum/viewtopi ... 40&t=40224
And even though the title suggests tools and modification, there is a lot of subtleties to learn about mannequins in there.

You might want to consider material( pvc, fiberglass) and quality of item( e.g. manufacturer see said thread) in addition to where to get them and I would highly recommend considering older used high quality ones if you find a good source.

In any case, all the best!

[rubherkitty]

Yup, nipples may be a problem on some mannequins. Fiberglass mannequins could probably have the nipples removed and patched over. You might look on Craigslist or eBay for used mannequins close enough for local pick up. Older units may not have nipples.

Best of luck on your business venture!
RK