May 17, 2002 / FW/ --- During Shop East 2000 in New York, Universal Display introduced their "Lounge Mannequin Series," a new innovation in mannequins - it has removable heads.

Jonathan Berlin, Managing Director for Universal Display explained, "Visual merchandising has evolved through the years. Today, retailers want versatility in mannequins and props so that they can reuse them in their display without looking stale."

As a response to that need, Universal Display came up with the Lounge Series of Mannequins with removable heads.

In 1993, during the Euroshop 93 in Dusseldorf, Gemini Mannequins introduced a different kind of mannequin.

These mannequins were "supplied with two pairs of feet, one high, one low, that are easily changed with no more difficulty than a pair of hands." (Source: Inspiration Magazine Issue 172)

This innovation provided a simple solution to the question about mannequins. Should a mannequin be low heeled or high heeled?

For years, mannequin designers have wrestled with that question. With fashion changing so fast, almost every season, and the mannequin's life span of 7 years, the mannequin should be versatile enough to accomodate these changes. The heel height is big consideration.

With John Bates, who is a display veteran, at the helm of Gemini Mannequins during that time, the solution was simple. Manufacture mannequins with two sets of feet with different heel heights.

"This simple little solution which has never been thought of before has been quickly patented" and was shown by Gemini Mannequins in Dusseldorf in 1993. (Source: Inspiration Magazine Issue 172)

Gemini Mannequins was a virtual unknown before 1973. Reason: It did not exist. It was only when the original firm Gems Wax Models was sold to John Bates by Keith Gems, great-grandson of Gems Wax Models original founder that the company changed its name to Gemini.

In 1994, Gemini Mannequins was sold to Universal Display.

Gems Wax Models was established in 1885. It was leading maker of dressmaker's forms supplying their products to the crown heads of Europe.

As part of the industrial revolution which swept the world during the 1880s, Gems Wax Models also has the French Bust Company Ltd which specialized in complete figures in was of men, women and children.

It also manufactured accessories and display units. (Source: VM&SD July 1993)

Wax however had a very limited role and life span in the retail industry. It was heavy, hard to work with, and melted when lights are turned on and/or the sun shone on them long enough.

To keep up with the times, Gems Wax Models used different materials - papier mache, cane and plaster, and finally fiberglass.

Through the experimental stages of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, Gems Wax Models never forgot where they started and that is wax. The company continued to build wax models which was supplied to museums and exhibitons.

And to the retail customers, they supplied their innovative models using the material that was available during the time period.

When fiberglass was finally perfected as the perfect medium for mannequins, (it was hard, durable and lightweight), Gems Wax Models made the first British fiberglass mannequins - "Fashion Sketch" which was designed by Adel Rootstein who used to work at the wig department of Gems.

When the 1960s arrive, the fashion world changed. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Woodstock happened. Jean Shrimpton, Twiggy and Patti Boyd, with their short skirts and long hair too the world by storm, and the fashion world was never the same. Youth became the name of the game.