Securing a mannequin

The mannequins in this window from Macy’s demonstrate the use of striking. Wire is secured to the back of the waist, then pulled taut and nailed into the floor panel. Wires can then be painted out using the same-color paint as the background.

Three mannequins on an in-store display are stabilized using base plates. A metal rod is attached into the leg so that the shoes are not damaged. A foot rod would go through the sole of the shoe.

There are numerous ways that a mannequin can be secured, but there are three universal fittings that are generally used to support a mannequin.

The first is the foot rod, which is a round or square metal stick attached to a base plate made from either glass or metal; the rod is pushed into the foot to support the mannequin. The rod can also be removed from the base plate and screwed directly into the floor; the downside of the foot rod is that the shoes will have to be drilled through so that the rod can go through the sole of the shoe.

To get a mannequin to stand straight and upright on a base plate, gently ease it to the tip of the rod, place your foot on the base plate to secure it, and use the mannequin’s height as a lever to bend the rod to the position required. Finally lower the mannequin back onto the base plate.

The second option, the leg rod, works in the same way but goes into the calf of the leg, which means that shoes can easily be shown without damaging them. In the US, the last option, the butt rod, is often preferred. A longer rod is pushed through the leg of the pants or under the skirt and fits into a hole in the butt cheek.

Many skilled professionals use wire to support mannequins. This complicated technique is called “strike.” Two wires are wrapped around the waist of the model and firmly secured by twisting the wire around itself, then pulled taut in two opposing directions, ensuring that the mannequin is upright and attached to the floor with nails. The wire is then twisted around itself and the excess is cut off. Once the wire and the nail head are painted the same color as the background, they become invisible.

When striking a mannequin wearing swimwear or lingerie, ensure that the model wire is secured around the fitting that holds the torso and legs together, and trail the wire through the gap between the two and to the rear of the mannequin or the part of the body that will not be seen by the public. One wire should then be pulled through the legs and the other toward the back and attached to the floor; thus the wire will not be seen around the naked waist of the mannequin.

Keep a selection of Perspex or wooden blocks (which can be painted the same color as the floor) in various sizes; these can be used to block (raise and support) the heel of a shoe if the mannequin has a high instep. This will also help when striking, ensuring that the mannequin is straight and balanced.