Mannequins Get A Lot More Real At U.K.’s Debenhams

On Wednesday, U.K. department store Debenhams launched size 16 (the equivalent of a 14 in the U.S.) mannequins — making it the first high-street retailer in the nation to do so. Three words: About. Freaking. Time.

While fellow retailers like Dorothy Perkins and Wallis keep store mannequins in the size 10-12 range, Debenhams' curvier forms are right in line with the average size of British women.

"We’ve developed our own range of size 16 mannequins to sit alongside our usual size 10 dummies," says store director Ed Watson. "We felt it was important to better represent what real women actually look like when advertising our clothes."

Crazy concept, huh? Following today's modern makeover at the store's Oxford Street flagship, the size 16 mannequins will roll out across the country over the next few months. This comes some three years after the retailer tested out larger mannequins, which was met with an overwhelmingly positive response.

It's just the latest conscientious move from Debenhams, which banned airbrushing swimsuit models earlier this year. What's more, its pro-diversity campaigns have recently featured plus-size beauties and a Paralympian amputee model.

So, now we're looking to other retail giants — anytime you want to join in, feel free! (Metro)