"For centuries, 'fake people' have guietly gone about their work, showing us how we'd like to look--and they never complain."

June 6, 1997/ FW/ --- If ever there was an in-depth look about fashion mannequins, this article which was published by the Smithsonian Magazine has it all.

Written by Emily and Per Ola d 'Aulaire and photos by Chad Slattery, the article starts on how a store window is created at Barney's New York, then traces the mannequins way back to the time of the Egyptian Pharoahs, to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the industrial revolution, the two world wars and finally, today.

Mannequins have always been associated with fashion, an idealistic view of the standard of beauty prevailing during the time of their creation.

The intricate connection between mannequins and fashion is discussed thoroughly, even how it affected world's history.

In a passage in the article, it was mentioned that during the European Wars, fashion dolls were so popular that a person carrying them were guaranteed safe passage in war zones.

It seems that men even during those days were aware that women's fashion should never be meddled with or they would get the wrath of their wives and daughters when they return home from the war.

The rise of the power of the store window was also discussed, in its relation to the rise of the mannequin as an advertising prop for retailers. The ending was almost poignant, almost reverential with the quote from a window dresser.

"As the exhausted crew packed up to go home at 2 A.M. that window night at Barneys, Kedrin Marshall glimpsed for a last moment the mannequins' unearthly presence against the dark avenue beyond the glass. To him, they seemed very much alive, in an eerie manner. One can't help but wonder: What do mannequins do when they're left alone at night?"