In the world of mannequins, mannequins usually keep their mouths shut. Rarely do you see a realistic looking mannequin smiling with their teeth showing.
One of the mannequin manufacturers that produced the most mannequins with teeth showing was Decter Mannequins (they are now out of business) . Decter was based in Los Angeles and they had a series of young adult mannequins in the 1960’s. This was when music from The Beach Boys was popular. The mannequins were designed to show casual, beach vibe where everyone was tanned and smiling.
Here is an example of a vintage Decter mannequin with a wide grinning smile and individual “teeth” showing:
Adding teeth to a mannequin’s mouth is an artistic effort to evoke the idea that the mannequin might laugh or talk while displaying their sellable wares.
Adel Rootstein, the company known as the “Rolls Royce of Mannequins” periodically produced mannequins with teeth. But only one mannequin had a wide grinning smile and that was Sliwka.
1 Sliwka
Because most Rootstein mannequins are based on actual models and celebrities, Adel Rootstein incorporates teeth into some of her creations to further capture the authentic look of certain real-life icons.
2 Chelsea Brown – Virgo 75
Teeth help to shape the mouth and define the overall look of a mannequin’s face.
3 Yasmine Lebon
Most of the mannequins that Rootstein produced did not have teeth showing, but if they did they were just a hint of teeth. And usually just a veneer, not individual teeth.
4 Simone – Lipstick Compact Series
While mannequins with teeth showing were not in every collection, they did appear frequently. That is why I decided to do a summary of them in this post.
5 Pat Cleveland – Pat and Pretty (photo by Ivan Berling Jr)
Most of the Adel Rootstein mannequins with teeth showing, very barely visible. A much more restrained smile than the Decter mannequins.
6 Khadija – Sohi & Solo Series
7 Caroline -Girlfriends Series
Mannequins showing teeth was a way to convey the realness in human expressions.
8 April – Pop Series
Sometimes the illusion of teeth is created by paining the gap between the lips white, other times there are sculpted teeth.
9 Coco – Glamorous and Gorgeous
Teeth add such a touch of reality to the face of a mannequin, it is surprising that more realistic mannequins don’t have teeth.
10 Tracey Leigh
11 Merci HiLife Series
12 Dianne Brille
13 Amica – Calendar Girls
14 Grace
15 Firefly – Symbol Series
16 Vicki – Vicki Lewis Series
17 Jodi – BarBelles
18 Here is another Sliwka She had the distinction of being the only mannequin with teeth AND a tongue showing. But many retailers thought this look was too sexually provocative and had the tongue sanded down.
19 Margo from Leisure Pleasure (photo by John Humphries)
20 Adela, Positions Series (photo by Sebastian Pinon)
21 Michelle, Girl Friends (photo by Jeff Prentice)
22 Steve – LaidBack Larry
23 Gentlemen Series
24 Maddy Leisure Pleasure (photo by Ivan Berling Jr)
25 Joanna Lumley – Leisure Pleasure (photo by Ivan Berling Jr)
26 Ulla – Drama Divas (photo by Keith Dillion)
27 – Lauren from Lauren Series
28 Juno
29 Jenny Penny
30 Almost all the kids in the Maytime Playtime series
31 Mercedes from the Allure series
If you want to learn more about this iconic mannequin company, download our free Ebook filled with facts, history, and imagery about the legend and legacy of Rootstein mannequins.
Visit our website to shop for mannequins and dress forms, rent display pieces, or recycle your old mannequins.
