Faces

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Bald women, 80s makeup, wig-like hair, tangled eyelashes, empty stares. Walking down the sidewalk, I can't ignore all the eyes watching me through the windows. One of the things that really caught my attention in Turkey was the freaky mannequins. They just didn't look like mannequins anywhere else in the world we'd been. I wondered if Turkey got the 20 year old hand-me-downs from everyone else instead of buying new ones. Usually when you walk past a store window, you notice the styled outfit and overlook the body it sits on. Not the case in Turkey. Many of the mannequins were actually beat up with scuffs on their faces, scratched out eyes, and duck-taped necks, which added to the creepy factor. I didn't photograph the really beat up ones, as I think that would have offended the shop owners (and given you nightmares). You might agree with me that the fashion on most of them (not all) is pretty horrendous as well. 

I'm not sure why I was compelled to photograph them at all, but here's my little collection. These are from around Istanbul and Bodrum. 

- Julia

17 comments :

  1. They don't look too frightening to me. All mannequins are quite strange, and unless the shop owners add hats/wigs to the hairless crown, bald?

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  2. Oh wow, mannequins like these really give me the creeps!

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  3. that one that looks like a bride is terrifying.
    seriously.

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  4. oh my gosh that IS freaky!!!! (but lovely photos!)

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  5. what a great blog...I agree about the mannequins...super weird

    jen
    http://blankwhiteframes.blogspot.com

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  6. I agree, they definitely have a creepy factor! Even the women mannequins have such masculine features. Eerie..

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  7. so odd that they would use mannequins like these. it is creepy and a study on fashion merchandising in that part of the world.

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  8. Eeek! I've always been a little bit scared of mannequins, convinced that they might one day come to life and eat me or something. And then of course I watched an episode of Doctor Who where they came alive and started killing people. Thanks a lot, Doctor Who.

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  9. Oh my goodness, this are creepy! They kind of remind me of the manaquins from "I Am Legend"

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  10. Hey, just letting you know that I gave you two awards at my blog.
    http://electronicnightsky.blogspot.com/2011/01/oookey-this-happened-last-week-or-so.html?showComment=1295830730167#c7958842061313488055
    Congrats!
    Alkyoni

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  11. I remember thinking how interesting the mannequins were in Europe were-- I'm so glad to see you put them together here!

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  12. they're creepy looking! the one with the scarf wrapped around her face almost looks real!

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  13. the first one is kinds creepy! LOL Hi! I am new to your blog so I wanted to say Hi! Have fun traveling!
    Mira

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  14. Ick, all those mannequins make me shudder.

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  15. Awesome mannequins and I love your blog!

    http://carriesclothes.blogspot.com/

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