What is the fashionable dress form wearing this autumn?

Well, not much as it turns out . . .

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a new dress form, which I named Esme, to use for modeling necklaces in order to show scale more accurately. I had a poll on my blog for people to vote on how she should be dressed and what type of backdrop to use.

Most people voted for a plainish, dark backdrop and for Esme to remain unclothed for the most part. Yes, shocking, I know, but people felt clothing or draping her was too distracting. Thanks so much to all who voted. I really appreciate it!

Here are my first post-poll photos. I need more lights and a better camera I think. I'm still getting used to photographing Esme, but she's very patient.

Poppies cloisonne triple strand necklace set

This shows my set-up. I had this tonal, brown, colorwash, leaf-print fabric that seems to work well with other backdrops I use. I covered a sheet of foam core with it and hung it as a backdrop.

Multi gemstone and brass necklace

Dragon and phoenix necklace set

I needed some contrast behind the pendant on this necklace so I pinned on this brocade, but the color is too close to the color of the backdrop. I'll use something else next time.

Autumn black agate triple strand necklace set

This one seems too plain. I think I'll have to re-take it with some clothing. Unfortunately, I'm a size 6/8 and Esme is a size 8/10. Most of my clothes don't fit her very well. But, since the average dress size for women in the U.S. is 14 I thought I shouldn't get a dress form that was too skinny.

I'd love to hear your input. Leave me a comment!

Thanks, Sue

My new dress form

Today I drove down to an Industrial Complex near the Las Vegas Strip to a mannequin warehouse. I wanted to pick out something on which to photograph necklaces.

I have been using a necklace bust to show how necklaces drape. Necklace busts work OK for this, but they fail to give an accurate sense of scale in a photo as they come in many sizes (see photo below). I try very hard to let my customers know everything about a piece when they buy online and cannot try something on in person. A good photo is almost always the best way to convey information.

I was pretty sure that I wanted a dress form rather than a mannequin. I think it makes it easier for a woman to imagine herself wearing a piece if it is displayed on a form that doesn't look like any specific person. I will be able to dress the form to show how a certain necklace looks with a neckline or collar.

I was pleased to find that they had this one store sample that didn't match the rest of their inventory that they would sell at a discount. It meets my needs better than the ones they stock because it has more of a shoulder to help in showing scale accurately and because it's a normal size 8/10 instead of smaller like the others. It also has a removeable cover so that I can make a different cover if I like. Most others have a cover that is glued on. I am quite pleased with her.

Now I get to play with lighting and backdrops, clothing and drapes. I think I may call her Esme. Look for her in future photographs from Sue Runyon Designs.