Nike's Larger Mannequin

[Aussie Willy]

Anyone else seen the article about Nike using a larger mannequin in their stores.

'She heaves with fat': Mannequin sparks debate over what healthy looks like

A plus-size mannequin inside a London Nike store has sparked criticism the sportswear brand is promoting an unhealthy body image, but experts say "healthy" may not look the way people think.

www.abc.net.au

Personally I think it is a great initiative.

However I was reading a Facebook feed about it with comments. So many men (it was quite noticeable) were condeming it and commenting about "fat" people. Many women however were supportive and thought it was a great idea.

 

[Japanfan]

I applaud it as well. Mannequins have traditionally been very thin, just as images of women in the media have been very thin - often subscribing to an ideal of female beauty that is unrealistic and unattainable for many.

It could be argued that presenting images of women who are neither extremely thin or overweight might be best. But OTOH, a heavy body is representative of a lot of women in many parts of the world.

I think it's particularly appropriate for Nike to represent heavier women, because they can exercise just as thin women can. Heavier women can still be muscular and relatively healthy. Representing heavier women can motivate them to exercise and also promotes self-esteem - which in turn promote health. Advertising does send messages and have an impact.

Also, the running shoe market includes larger women, so it's a smart move to Nike to target them.

This just makes me ?

She is immense, gargantuan, vast. She heaves with fat."

As does

She cannot run

Large/overweight women can and do run (as pointed out by the woman who looks like the mannequin, and to her for having the courage to post that picture).

 

[Aussie Willy]

Someone mentioned Serena Williams. Definitely not a thin svelte body type. But she could kick anyone's butt. Amazing role model and athlete.

 

[mag]

So I may have missed it, but I don’t see any mention of plus size male mannequins? I realize that while body image issue affect both women and men, they still affect a greater number of women. That, to me, is why it is important to show different shapes of both. It is an important message to women to let them know that there are also men who are not super slim and toned. I think society is more accepting (I didn’t say accepting, I said more accepting) of men who do not meet the perfection standard than we are of women. By not showing men, again we are focusing on the “imperfections” of women - even if Nike is trying not to.

 

[mag]

Brilliant twitter response:

Twitter