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Should Debenhams plus size mannequins be applauded?
Other | Thursday 14th November 2013 | Alex
In recent memory, much has been made of the fashion industry’s impact on the way that people see themselves in the mirror. Debenhams are trying to rectify this by becoming the first high street chain to use size 16 models to “reflect the average size of a British woman”, or so say The Metro. It would seem that in the last ten years the “average” British woman has gone from size 12 to 16, and so enter Debenhams: Champions of the average British woman. Or are they?
While at first glance the move might seem a noble and bold crusade to champion the natural form and figure of how a woman should look, is it right that any fashion outlet should be celebrated for merely trying to stay in touch with reality? Ed Watson, a Director at the aforementioned angels, has championed his company’s role in this stating that, “We felt it was important to better represent what real women actually look like when advertising our clothes.” Bless, what a touching sentiment.
LIZ JONES: 'Why Debenhams size 16 dummies are just a publicity stunt.' http://t.co/fg5YLYsZNQ
— Daily Mail Femail (@Femail) November 11, 2013
I will say this for Debenhams, as Liz Jones points out superbly in her piece in the Daily Mail about this topic, they are at the forefront of diversity utilising size 18 models for their lingerie as well as models in wheelchairs. This is a great point to make as diversity is much needed in the fashion world. There will always be the unattainable figures of Victoria’s Secret models to lust after, but I don’t intend to vilify Debenhams for this. My problem is with the industry as a whole.
The fashion industry is one of the most competitive, ruthless and cut throat businesses out there. It runs off the twin devils of extortion and slave wages, I’d be amazed if this is going to change anytime soon. Just look at Victoria’s Secret using child labour to pick cotton as recently as last year for their lingerie. This is a billion dollar brand, how can they not afford to pay their employees a fair wage to pick cotton? Greed, in my eyes, it’s as simple as that.
While Debenhams might not be the cruelest of the fashion chains, is it reasonable that they would be proclaimed as the saviours of the “average” woman? In itself, is this not an unnecessarily pejorative term? Well done for bringing in these mannequins but this isn’t a scenario which should be seen as a bold new step. Celebrating the way that the vast majority of the population look should be the norm, not the exception.
The BBC raise a brilliant debate here about whether or not the plus size mannequin issue is just a distraction from more pressing matters. It's a point worth considering at the very least.
Alex Taylor https://twitter.com/alextaylor18
