A custom fitting mannequin is a tailoring body double.
It is built from an engineering-grade 3D scan of the client (actor, performer, etc.), meaning it is a true copy of the scanned person’s body.
It’s made from fully pinnable and durable material, all the way through, not just the surface.
It is an indispensable tool for wardrobe teams, stylists, and styling studios to handle alterations and look planning without needing the client in the room for every pass.
Why wardrobe teams and styling studios keep one on hand
- Eliminate most in-person fittings. Productive preliminary work happens on the mannequin. The client comes in for final checks, not for every pass.
- See the whole look on their proportions. Try pieces on the mannequin to see exactly how they’ll sit on the client’s body, so you know what works, what needs altering, and what to leave behind.
- Last-minute changes, handled fast. Drop the mannequin and the piece off with a tailor or seamstress. No waiting for an in-person fitting window.
- Work with more than one fashion house at once. The client can only be in one place. The mannequin is lightweight and durable. Bring it to a boutique or ship wherever the work is happening: a costume house, a tailor’s workroom, even one on a different continent.
- Discretion. Data processing and fabrication happen in-house at our Los Angeles studio. We don’t outsource, and we don’t share client or production details with third parties.
Fittings are notoriously hard to schedule, and the time with the client is very limited. With our tailoring body double, all the preparation can be done without the client, making the remaining fittings a lot more efficient.
For the physical construction, materials and how our tailoring mannequins are made, see our Custom Dress Forms page.
If there isn’t time to schedule a scan, a mannequin can also be built from measurements alone, or from measurements plus reference photos, so the wardrobe team can still do most of the checks on the mannequin.
Who this is for
| Team | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Touring & residency wardrobe departments | Optimizes wardrobe management on the go: prepping backup outfits and handling last-minute changes and additions without scheduling conflicts. |
| TV & episodic wardrobe teams | Keep a returning cast member’s mannequin on file season to season, so costume changes and reshoots don’t require re-measuring from scratch. |
| Personal stylists & styling studios | Plan and prep the client’s wardrobe, coordinate alterations with your tailor or seamstress, and see full looks assembled on their exact proportions before they’re in the room. |
Frequently asked questions
What is a custom fitting mannequin?
A custom fitting mannequin, also called a tailoring body double or a custom dress form, is a physical body form built from an engineering-grade 3D scan of the client, mimicking their exact measurements, posture, and every curve. It’s fully pinnable, so design, fitting, and alterations can be made directly on it.
Can a custom mannequin be used for ongoing alterations, not just the first fitting?
Yes. Once the client has been scanned and their mannequin is built, your team can check what alterations are needed and coordinate with the tailor or seamstress handling them, without scheduling the client’s time for every small change. This eliminates most in-person fittings, not the final checks.
Can the mannequin be used for planning a full look, not just alterations?
Yes. Pieces can be assembled on the mannequin exactly as they’ll sit on the client’s proportions, so your team can see what works together and what doesn’t before the client is in the room.
How long does it take to get a custom fitting mannequin?
Standard turnaround runs 4 to 7 weeks depending on configuration. Expedited processing can deliver a torso mannequin in 1 to 2 weeks and a full body in 2 to 3 weeks, for a rush fee typically 15-40% of the order, based on timeline and availability.
Can the mannequin be made symmetrical?
Yes, symmetry can be added to any configuration. A symmetrical mannequin allows inside-out fitting and is easier to work with, especially for clients with minor asymmetries.
Is our production or client information kept confidential?
Yes. All work is done in-house in our Los Angeles studio, nothing is outsourced, and client information is not shared with third parties. We regularly work under production NDAs. Some clients allow, or even encourage, us to share the work we’ve done for them. When that happens, we follow their guidance exactly. The default is always full confidentiality and we never share any client-related information unless we have explicit permission from the client.
How is this different from the dress forms used for costume design?
Essentially, it’s the same product. Our custom tailoring mannequins can be used for building costumes and designs through draping, patternmaking, tissue fitting, and other techniques. However, depending on your specific application, you may choose a different configuration. For example, our separable torso feature is very popular with styling and wardrobe teams, as it allows several people to work on it at once (for example, one person fitting a blouse on top while another checks the pants). It’s also easier to ship and carry around in pieces. Another example: reference lines are very helpful for making clothing and costumes, but might not be needed for styling work. And yet another example: the in-ankle mounting option, which lets you place the mannequin on a platform with no pole visible.
Get started
We’re happy to talk through your team’s schedule and how a custom tailoring mannequin would fit into it. For rush projects, please call or text us. It’s the fastest way to get things going.
Request an appointment (for non-rush appointments)
Contact us
See pricing and configurations