Body Diversity: The Mannequin Challenge
One day we walked into Target, and like hundreds of times before, we headed straight for the workout apparel section. However, this time, we noticed something different about the mannequins. They were all different sizes, and more realistic, ranging from skinny to average and plus size. Without even trying, we smiled because, for the first time, not only did we feel seen at a store we love, we saw others we know reflected as well.
As kids of the late 80s and early 90s, we grew up in an era where thinner was better. From models, pop stars, and television shows, the message was clear. Thin is in, and everything else is irrelevant. Even animations like the all-time favorite Daria were drawn in unrealistic proportions.
Today, body diversity has gained steam in the retail space, and it's never been more critical for the community. The truth is women, and men for that matter, come in all shapes and sizes, and no one likes to feel like the butt of the joke in the dressing room. Fortunately, we are in a time where brands are embracing diversity in its pure form, and we think social media had an impactful role in the shift.
Don't get us wrong, social media has birthed new forms of insecurities, and we have a long way to go before those issues get solved. But, authenticity still has a place in the movement. If we looked at influencer culture in its entirety, it has increased the world's ability to see itself as it is, and not as a few white males in a board room perceives it to be.
Take Lizzo, our universal spirit animal, whose confidence and body positivity made us all look in the mirror and say, "I'm cute." Athletic bodies like Serena Williams and Massy Arias has inspired thousands of black and brown girls to say, hell yeah I'm strong, deal with it. Influencer culture, for all its flaws, has done something right; it has shown that all bodies matter. It feels like brands are finally taking notice and seeing positive results in their bottom line.
Earlier this month, Nike's flagship store in London added plus size and para-sport mannequins to their show floor. The mannequins were just one way Nike doubled down on their dedication to being a truly diverse and inclusive-focused company. The addition of the mannequins followed the expansion of the brands' plus-size women's offerings in 2017 and a long-term marketing campaign with plus-size influencers in 2018.
The brand is a champion for serving and inspiring the female athlete. Since Nike debuted its new plus-size mannequin at its flagship store in London, searches of "Nike" and "plus-size" on British fashion retailer, Love the Sales, have grown by 387%, according to the company.
The way a mannequin looks in a store may seem like something small, and even insignificant. But, we can't help but think about the little girls who look at them and internalize, consciously or subconsciously, that they are welcomed no matter their size.
Have you notice different sized mannequins in the stores you love? Tell us about it!