Competition is always a good force for change. But what do you do when you've created a monster and you don't know it. You think its something fabulous, to sell at the right price to all those customer's who you know will want it, and it might even keep you in front of the competition. And so it was with Universal Display. David Berlin who owns the company buys just such an atrractive piece in from the Far East at the right price. Its a mannequin that can be added to his extensive range of forms, props, display stands and furniture. The company that can "always get you out of a fix!" have done it again, offering more choice to more clients, amongst them Harrods, Laura Ashley, Harvey Nichols and Self ridges.
International Display Week rears its head and suddenly the mannequin has become a monster. But how, its so gorgeous? "Forgery!" cries John Bates from Gemini Mannequins. Its Gemini's range they handle for Patina 'V' out of California, and its been ripped off In fact a Far Eastern rip-off. Naturally Bates is straight on the line to the USA, injunctions are threatened etc, etc. Shock all around and only a sticky end in sight. Bates delves further into what could have happened, and suspects that Patina 'V' have had something manufactured in the Far East quickly to fulfill an order, and are completely unaware that they have been copied. Its not only electrical equipment and designer accessories that get copied abroad, but mannequins too, as John knows to his own cost with regard to his srylish Gemini pieces.
So the games up! Bates gets to know Berlin and the germ of a good idea is born. Berlin is in the market place for good abstract forms and mannequins, and Bates has his former collections from the early 1980's, everyone  Stylish, sleek and ready to take on a new market place.
If you can't beat them join them! By this time Berlin has his own factory in South China and the two companies decide to get together to manufacture a very affordable range of mannequins there, using the early forms under the title of Gemini II.
There are currently two female and two male figures on offer under this label. A timeless collection which gives retailers the opportuniry to have something which they could not initially afford.
But of course that's not the end of the story. Like all good tales, its how you finish that counts. This clever marketing strategy that the two companies came up
with, was in fact to make them realise they were stronger together than apart.
By being together they would both have access to each other's customer base, and that through interaction between the two they could be more creative, efficient and productive. And that is exactly what they
have done. Together now as part and
parcel of the same operation, both
showing from Mortimer Street, London
WI, offering the client an enormous
choice of off the shelf goods and a specialist custom service.
Gemini has a showing space of 2,500 ft, which allows them to show everything from their ranges including that gorgeous Patina 'V'. Their figurative and semi-abstract figures both male and female are used across the country and worldwide. Clients include Selfridges, Macy's, Saks and Liberry. Whilst developing specific line ideas with Universal for the multiples. They also have a new accessory head available called Olivia. She comes in one sryle but in three different heights. As for Universal, they are delighted to have Gemini on board allowing them to offer the full range of goods and services that creative display people want Universal's slogan "Modern, functional, and beautifully designed. Most importantly it is value for money", sums them up. They increasingly wave the banner for display by supporting the real movemem for 'pure display'. Their ideas are creative, available and easy to get hold of. They deliver, offer a design and dressing service, and will always make to custom specially commissioned forms, display stands, furniture and props. They have been making bust . forms for over 50 years and are full of ideas on how to adapt them. Also with papier mache and Christmas decorations abound their showroom is always worth a visit spilling over with merchandise
and good ideas.