Topshop’s Mannequins Are About to Get a Major Body Positive Makeover
If one thing has become clear recently, it’s that women want to see accurate representations of themselves in the world of fashion. That doesn’t necessarily mean that every model needs to have vivacious curves because let’s be honest, not every woman has those. But still, there is a definite call for diversity in the industry. Some companies have accepted this shift with open arms. Mod Cloth showed off their swimwear with models of all different shapes and sizes and Target also recently launched an ad campaign that featured women with noticeably different builds. Topshop, a fast fashion retailer that’s popular in the US but has its roots in the UK, appears to be the latest brand to answer their customer’s concerns.
Topshop customer, Laura Berry posted this photo of the brand’s mannequins on their Facebook page last week. In a lengthy letter to Topshop Berry writes, “This mannequin is quite frankly ridiculously shaped. Young women aspire to the somewhat cult image your store offers. Which I’m sure you’re aware by your sales figures and hashtags on Instagram. Yet not one mannequin in your store showed anything bigger than a size 6. Intact I’m not even sure the one in the picture is even that. So today, I’m calling you out Topshop, on your lack of concern for a generation of extremely body conscious youth. I’m old enough and wise enough to know I will never be this size, but as we’ve all been impressionable teens at one point, I’m fairly certain if any of us were to witness this in our teenage years, it would have left us wondering if that was what was expected of our bodies.”
Topshop then replied to Laura explaining that the store’s mannequins are supplied by a company that has been working with a number of different retailers for the past 30 years and that that particular size is needed to allow clothing to be put on and removed easily. However they also wrote, “We have taken yours and other customers’ opinions and feedback on board and going forward we are not placing any further orders on this style of mannequin.”
Topshop’s response doesn’t necessarily promise that all the old mannequins will be replaced or even that the new mannequins will be noticeably different. However, the fact that they are willing to address the issue and propose some sort of solution is definitely a step in the right direction.
Would you like to see more realistic mannequins in the store you frequent? Share your thoughts on this topic in the comments below.
(Photos via @lovetopshopleeds and Laura Kate Berry)