Oct 6, 2000 / FW/ --- Mannequins, the silent sales people. They do their job all day and night, never tiring, never complaining, always quiet and never call in sick.

From New York's Fifth Avenue to the Aleutians in Alaska, retailers have used traditional mannequins for decades in windows and throughout the store to display apparel, be it a realistic mannequin or a bust form without arms, legs nor head.

These days, a variety of retailers not necessarily selling apparels and garments have started using mannequins and forms to catch the customers' attention.

In Honolulu, Hawaii, at the Mikasa store at the Waikele Shopping Center, a mannequin stands by a dining table set for dinner, displaying a whole set of dinnerware.

In Agana, Guam, at a Safety Equipment Store, a mannequin is dressed for "work" - orange coveralls, safety helmet and safety glasses while he carries with him a tool box.

"In on of it's locations in Irvine, California, the Union 76 gas station chain uses a mannequin from Greneker (Los Angeles) that appears to be climbing up the advertising pole to the large rotating orange ball icon at the top." ( (From Display & Design Ideas, March 1997; Written by Chelsie Butler, Associate Editor)

It's not just retail stores either. In Cleveland, Ohio, a theater has mannequins by the box office and they act as greeters, dressed in one of the costumes for the play being showed.

Even the Police Department is not immune to the power of the mannequins. As a speed trap deterrent, the Westlake Police Department in Ohio had used a male mannequin dressed like a cop. It does its job for speeding motorists, but it also frustrates motorists who are asking for directions.

Even in traditional department stores, mannequins are also used in non-traditional areas. At Neiman Marcus here in Dallas, forms are used to display handbags at the Ladies Deparment.

At the DFS Stores in Honolulu, Hawaii, forms are used in the candy department. They wear aprons and hold a basket full of "goodies", making these impulse items almost irrestible to customers.

The hospitality and gaming industry, has used mannequins as props in hotel lobbies, restaurants, bars and casinos. Gary La Vasser for Greneker provided mannequins dressed as mermaids for a display in Las Vegas's Hollywood Casino. (From Display & Design Ideas, March 1997; Written by Chelsie Butler, Associate Editor)

One of the most creative way that I have seen a mannequin was used was by Clampett Paper Company here in Dallas. During the Primavera Promotion at the Dallas Galleria, they used mannequins to promote paper and stationery. The mannequin at left was dressed like Marie Antoinette, her clothes and her hair are all paper.

Several mannequins were strategically placed all over the mall, each one of them "dressed" differently and there was a different setting. There was a poster by the feet of the mannequin promoting the company. Passersby always stop and look. They were quite an eye-catcher.

"The prevailing opinion among retailers, manufacturers and designers is that mannequins are still important visual marketing tool for retailers. And with atypical businesses now finding uses for them, it must be true." (From Display & Design Ideas, March 1997; Written by Chelsie Butler, Associate Editor)