Long Tall Sally launches debut 'real-life' mannequin

London - For years the average female size has been cited as between a UK size 12 - 14 (US 8 - 10). A new study from the Washington State University indicates this average to be closer to a size 18 - 20 (US 14 -16). However, in stark contrast to the average female 'plus' size, standard fashion mannequins have remained a size 8 - 10. Long Tall Sally aims to change this with the launch of its first mannequin based on the exact measurements of a real customer.

The international retailer, best known for its fashion for tall women, used the latest technology in 3D scanning to create a mannequin in the exact likeliness of one of its own customer, Harriet Winters, who stands at 6 feet tall and is a UK size 14. A fashion industry first, Long Tall Sally selected Winters as the winner of its 3D 'Are you Made Tall' campaign and acted as the model for the mannequin.

As of today, Harriet's mannequin is featured in the window of Long Tall Sally's flagship store on Chiltern Street in London. The unique mannequin also sits in Long Tall Sally's design studio and will be used for regular fittings for future designs. "To me, most mannequins on the high-street look so similar and don’t always reflect real body shapes," said Winters. "I’m proud of my height and my figure and it’s really powerful to see a mannequin with the dimensions of a real woman."

The mannequin not only resembles Winters body, including her exact measurements which sees it stand at 6'0 feet, measuring 97 centimeters around the chest, 79 centimeters around the waist and 102 centimeters around the hips, but also features her facial likeness. Long Tall Sally first scanned Winters entire body, mapping the scan to create a mannequin blueprint which matches her measurements and curves before dividing it into sections and using it craft a solid figure with foam and resin.

"In an industry first we’re now able to design and fit our collections on the mannequin of a real 6', size 14 customer; a game changer in tall womenswear," commented Andrew Shapin, CEO of Long Tall Sally. "At Long Tall Sally we’re dedicated to offering our customers a true tall fit with true tall proportions, so bringing customers like Harriet to the heart of the process is invaluable."

Photos: Long Tall Sally Harriet Mannequin