If you are intrigued about how to repurpose a used mannequin into a unique lamp, planter or table, check out the designs of Dolly Fixtures in Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Dolly Fixtures is a magic place where upcycled mannequins who have finished their earlier life in retail now serve as furniture, art, and props for all kinds of fun. Dolly Fixtures’ tagline is “Quirky Functional Furniture” but they are so much more.
It’s like a circus of upcycled mannequins where Tracey Horan is the chief creator and “ringmaster.”
According to the British Institute of Interior Design, “Dolly Fixtures creations sit somewhere between art and function, they are original, often glamorous and always eye-catching.”
Horan’s hand crafted items include full-height mannequin lamps, half -height cocktail tables and occasional tables, planters, and torso table lamps.
Applying her knowledge of vintage textiles, she also produces pillows and decorative items with oversized stems and flora. She has a fondness for denim which shows up in many of her creations.
Horan began her career in fashion but, in seeking to buy a secondhand mannequin to help resell clothes on Ebay, she discovered that the UK retail industry discarded thousands of mannequins each year. Mannequins are made of fiberglass, are not biodegradable so they should not be sent to landfills. W
Horan had found her true calling. She felt a duty to stop mannequins from being dumped and find new avenues for their use. The outcome was a business which supports a circular economy by creating unique items as art, lighting, and furniture.
This is similar to what we do at Mannequin Madness, but instead of creating the mannequin art ourselves, we resell used mannequins to private individuals so they can make their own art with mannequins.
Horan loves creating the unique pieces but is just as serious about educating others about mannequins.
Partnering with the House of Upcycling at Clerkenwell Design Week, Design London, and the House & Garden Festival, Horan has hosted many upcycling demonstrations and, in 2024, she will become one of the House of Upcycling’s first professional tutors. As part of the long-awaited Upcycler Workshops, she will guide students through the mannequin upcycling process.
Visit the Dolly Fixtures website to see more examples. If you are in US and want a used mannequin to create your own one of kind mannequin art, visit us online or in person if you are in the Bay Area.
