Pretty well any mannequin not acquired for a specific garment will need to be customized – and that’s better than a pre-shaped one that you need to cut down. We find the Dorfmann good, because the chests can be expanded or contracted, you can adjust the waist length, as well as padding out under the body stocking - but then our need is to reshape them/re-use them – where you’re looking for a mannequin for a particular costume that’s not an issue. You might consider though that since it’s not advisable to display costume indefinitely, you might not want to invest a lot in a mannequin that is not adaptable to other costume. Another issue you want to investigate is materials – as you know, no doubt, they should be inert, which rules out a lot of great polyurethane mannequins. Good luck, it’s a challenge getting what you need! Cheers, Rose Smart Conservator The Rooms Provincial Museum Division From: Textile Conservators [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peggy Derrick Sent: Monday, March 14, 2016 6:03 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: mannequin advice Greetings Textile Conservators, I am having an eviable problem: a donor at my local historical society has offered to purchase for us a museum-quality female mannequin with a head. We would like to be able to display his mother's 1914 wedding dress, which she made herself, complete with headdress, veil and bouquet. So for the first time ever, I am seriously looking at ready-made mannequins, and the more I look, the more confused I become. I thought a Dorfman's Classic Adjustable Form with head and arms and feet would be perfect, but a couple of people have warned me that they are too flat, and need a lot of padding, and never "look right." I am in love with a Kyoto Belle Epoch mannequin, which may be beyond my budget, but I don't know because I can't contact the company. Their "contact" button on their webpage is not updated and doesn't work. The mannequin can be seen at: http://www.nanasai.co.jp/en/mannequins/kci/index.html Does anyone have a contact at this company or know an American supplier? And do you have anyother recommendations? I have heard that Goldsmith's are very good, but it appears they no longer make period mannequins. Thank you for your time and expertise! Peggy Peggy Derrick 5323 County 249 Brownsville, MN 507-724-2068 608-799-0033 “This email and any attached files are intended for the sole use of the primary and copied addressee(s) and may contain privileged and/or confidential information. Any distribution, use or copying by any means of this information is strictly prohibited. If you received this email in error, please delete it immediately and notify the sender.”