Handcrafted legacy: Yasser Al-Sumaydai’s mannequin workshop in Baghdad

BAGHDAD — In one of the narrow alleys of Al-Nahr Street in central Baghdad, Yasser Al-Sumaydai has been handcrafting mannequins since 2003. At 46 years old, Al-Sumaydai has built his own legacy, starting his journey after leaving school with a high school diploma due economic hardships, including limited job opportunities.

In 2009, he officially opened his workshop in partnership with his brother and later traveled to Syria to refine his skills in a craft that relies entirely on imported materials like polyester resins and fiberglass.

Yasser’s workshop produces mannequins for men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing displays, as well as military head displays used for helmets and army gear, which are in high demand.

Despite the workshop’s uniqueness, Yasser faces many challenges, including lack of local infrastructure, absence of support measures for local products, and competition from imported goods.

“Regarding production, most of my work is done manually, and I don’t use many machines,” Yasser Al-Sumaydai told 964media.

“We face challenges in competition, especially with cheaper imported products, but we have a significant advantage in terms of quality,” he added.

Sohaib Abdul Rahim, one of Yasser’s workers, highlighted the team’s journey, noting that they initially lacked experience but learned valuable techniques from professional car painters.

However, the industry faces an uncertain future. “The open borders and influx of cheaper imported products make competition incredibly difficult,” Sohaib added.