How to do the ghost mannequin effect without Photoshop

A shirt on a hanger is a flat rectangle. The same shirt on a model is a person, and shoppers start judging the model instead of the shirt. The ghost mannequin effect sits in between: the garment keeps its worn shape, collar open and sleeves filled, but nobody is wearing it.

It's the standard look for clothing catalogues, and for good reason. But done the traditional way, it takes a mannequin, several shots per garment and a lot of careful editing. Here's how it works, and how to get the same result from one photo.

What the ghost mannequin effect is

Also called the invisible mannequin or hollow man effect, it's a product photo where the garment looks as if it's worn by an invisible body. You see the shape, the fit and the drape, and you can see inside the collar and the back of the neckline, which is where most of the editing work traditionally goes.

How it's done the traditional way

1. Dress a mannequin with removable parts, usually a detachable neck and arms.
2. Shoot the front of the garment on the mannequin.
3. Turn the garment inside out, or remove the neck piece, and shoot the inside of the collar and back.
4. In Photoshop, mask out the mannequin, then layer in the inside shot so the neckline looks hollow.
5. Clean up edges, match the colours of the two shots and put it on a white background.

Done well it looks great. But it takes a mannequin, a consistent setup and, for a skilled editor, real time per garment. That's why many small shops either pay a retouching service or skip it and post hanger shots.

How to make it from one photo with AI

AI can now take an ordinary photo of a garment, on a hanger or laid flat, and give it back on an invisible mannequin with its shape filled out. In Clara:

1. Upload a photo of the garment on a hanger or laid flat.
2. Choose Ghost mannequin.
3. Download the result, ready for your product page.

Photos that give the best results

• The whole garment in frame, with nothing cut off at the edges.
• Even light with no harsh shadows across the fabric.
• A plain background that contrasts with the garment: a white shirt on a grey wall, not a white one.
• Smoothed out. Creases from the packet carry through to the result, so steam it or fix the wrinkles first.
• Its real colour, with no filter.

Which garments it works best on

It works best on tops, shirts, dresses, jackets and knitwear, where the shape of the shoulders and neckline sells the piece. For trousers and skirts, a shot on an AI model often shows the fit better. Always check the result against the real garment: the shape is generated, so make sure the length, collar and details match what the customer will receive.

Ghost mannequin, model or try-on?

• Ghost mannequin: the cleanest catalogue look. Best as the first image on a collection page.
• AI model: shows the garment on a person in a scene, for the second image or for ads.
• Virtual try-on: lets the shopper see it on themselves, which answers the question the other two can't.

Many fashion stores now use all three on one product page: ghost mannequin first for a clean grid, a model shot second for style, and a try-on button so each shopper can check it suits them.