Okay so I finally got around to figuring out this whole Balenciaga mannequin thing. Saw those pictures going around online, you know, the ones that look kinda… well, let’s just say weirdly proportioned, almost creepy? Everyone was buzzing about them, and honestly, I was curious. Like, what’s the actual deal?
Started simple, right? Just jumped online, tried searching “Balenciaga store mannequin.” Figured they probably have some official info or images. Surprise surprise, not much luck. Balenciaga isn’t exactly posting “Meet Our Mannequins: A Detailed Guide.” Mostly just found articles and forums repeating the same shocked reactions I’d already seen. Kept scrolling.
Then I remembered seeing those pics everyone freaked out over. You know the ones. Looked at them closer this time, instead of just going “Whoa.” Focused on what felt “off.” First thing that hit me? The heads seemed way too big for the bodies. Seriously, giant heads. Then, the necks looked crazy stretched out, almost giraffe-like but somehow worse. Bodies themselves? Skinny, weirdly stiff, and the poses were just… unnatural. Kinda frozen in this awkward position that real people never stand in. Definitely not your standard department store dummy.
Got me wondering why. Why design mannequins that look like that? Seems kinda counterproductive, right? Most stores want mannequins to look attractive or normal to sell clothes. So I thought about the brand itself. Balenciaga, under Demna, loves doing stuff that makes people uncomfortable or challenges what’s “normal” in fashion. Shocking designs, strange runway presentations. Maybe it’s part of that? The mannequins aren’t supposed to be attractive; they’re supposed to be unsettling. Like, intentionally jarring.
Maybe it forces people to actually look. They certainly got everyone talking! Those pictures went viral fast. Could be a weird way of getting attention, even if it’s negative. Or maybe it’s some super conceptual art thing about body image or perfection standards? Honestly, I don’t know for sure. Feels like guessing.
I started looking for any actual interviews or statements from Balenciaga explaining the darn things. Searched stuff like “Balenciaga mannequin designer interview” or “statement on mannequins.” Found practically nothing useful. A few vague fashion site articles mentioning the “distinctive look” but no real why. Frustrating! The brand just kinda lets it hang there, part of their whole vibe.
What makes them different? It’s undeniable. They intentionally ditch looking beautiful or realistic. Compared to literally any other store mannequin – which tries to be either pretty, neutral, or athletic – Balenciaga’s go for distorted, unsettling, unnatural proportions and stiffness. It’s a deliberate choice, part of their strategy to stand out and provoke, not just display clothes. Takes guts, I guess? Or maybe just a lot of trolling.
