FOR WOMEN NO MANNEQUINS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 200, 24 August 1945, Page 3

FOR WOMEN NO MANNEQUINS

HARD-HIT CAREER

PROSPECTS IN AUSTRALIA

One of the careers hardest hit by the war, and almost forgotten in Australia over years of rationing and clothing shortages is that of the mannequin, whose grooming and attractive face and figure helped to sell latest fashion creations in prewar days, writes an Australian correspondent. With the end of the war, however, manufacturers and large city stores are turning their thoughts to those girls who were formerly an essential Business asset.

Little thought has been given during war years to former well-known mannequins. Several of them have married, several are in well-paid war jobs, others again are doing clerical .work or working in departments at various stores.

One of them, Miss Phil Jacobs, an attractive brunette, who was for eight years a mannequin, is now sports wear buyer with a large Sydney store, and does not intend to return to permanent mannequin work. Nor does she think many of the pre-war mannequins will do so. Mannquin schools and colleges where girls were taught deportment dress sense, care of the skin and figure, and grooming to equip them for mannequin work work, are no longer in existence, and for the girl leaving school, desirous of doing mannequin work, there are no facilities for training.

"Numbers of young girls who are keen to do modelling and mannequin work have come to me asking where they can train, but I can do little to help them," Miss Jacobs said.

"Meanwhile the stores are looking over their programmes for clothing and fashions, and manufacturers are improving their output of civilian wear, which will have to be advertised extensively now the war is over.

"It is interesting work, and one that holds golden opportunities for the girl with looks, training and ability to wear clothes."