4 Places That Used 'Plus Size' Mannequins Before Debenhams

You may have noticed a big hoo-haa over the past few weeks in regard to the so-called 'plus-size' mannequins that Debenhams rolled out in their UK stores. Major news outlets, web forums and social media platforms were suddenly replete with debates on body-image, obesity rates and the responsibilities of the fashion industry. But this debate is not new. In fact these 'plus size mannequins' - and the resulting discussions - aren't quite the groundbreaking event that some are making it out to be. Here are 4 places that have already come under the spotlight for using larger mannequins:

Debenhams

Via bevoguish.com

That's right. Although they're hitting the headlines in the backend of 2013, Debenhams had sparked an identical debate back in 2010 when they started trialling the size 16 mannequins across a handful of high profile stores.

2010 also saw concerns raised over the use of unusually thin male mannequins developed by British firm Rootstein. Featured in their 'Young and Restless' collection, the super skinny male dummies boasted a waist 11 inches smaller than the average UK man.

These stories subsided fairly quickly but the public debates where virtually identical to those we've been witnessing throughout November.

JC Penny

Via blogs.houstonpress.com

In 2009 the New York Times published a now notorious article by Cintra Wilson in which she criticised the company for having "the most obese mannequins I have ever seen. They probably need special insulin-based epoxy injections just to make their limbs stay on. It's like a headless wax museum devoted entirely to the cast of "Roseanne."

But it was in 2012 when a post on Reddit got picked up by news sources that the size of JC Penny mannequins went truly viral.

Entitled "Anyone else horrified that they make obese mannequins too now?" it featured an image of a heavily overweight mannequin which was heavily criticised by the online community in various forms ranging from jovial satire to straight-up vitriol.

Åhléns

Via i.dailymail.co.uk

In March this year, the mannequins of Swedish department store Ahlens were widely praised after images rapidly spread across social networks and national news outlets showing them in-situ.

But it was way back in 2010 that the company had actually gone ahead and installed the range; social media was simply playing catch up.

In fact it was back in 2007 that health officials had spoken out publically to encourage European retailers and fashion leaders to embrace larger mannequins.

This call came after the use of 'size zero' models at fashion shows was brought into sharp focus following the death of a Uruguayan model suffering from anorexia.

Venezuela

The recent media storm about Debenhams size 16 mannequins coincided with a lesser talked about phenomenon in South America.

It transpires that Venezuela has been adopting a slightly different approach to 'plus-size' mannequins - namely in their bust size.

The oil rich nation has seemingly embraced mannequins with dimensions akin to that of hyper-sexualised superheroines.

All chest and no waist, the Venezuelan dummies highlight a startlingly different approach by some retailers who seem content to project entirely impossible body shapes rather than a adopting a true reflection of their customers.