The debate over how body image is being affected by the fashion and retail industries was reignited recently after a campaign was launched to confront a top US retailer over the size of its mannequins.

Psychotherapist Dae C. Sheridan began her campaign after noticing mannequins in JCPenny that she believed to be unrealistic and unhealthy depictions of the female body.

Posing in a picture, she compares her arm to one of the mannequins legs which appear to be very similar in size.

In an open letter to the retailer, Sheridan said: “Super-thin images of unrealistic ‘perfection’ are everywhere and lead healthy, beautiful girls to feel ‘less than’.”

She continued: “That internalized pressure, stress and shame leads to irrational thoughts about their bodies and a decreased sense of self-worth”.

Sheridan joins a growing voice of concern that has seen other large retailers being scrutinised over the past few years.

This concern, once confined to the retouching of magazine adverts and TV campaigns, increasingly includes in-store depictions of the human form.

The continued popularity of ‘skinny’ jeans and similar styles of clothing is thought to be a reason for the increased scrutiny on the size of mannequin shop fittings.

As leading suppliers of mannequins, busts and torsos, Displaysense will continue to pay close attention to the issue and listen to our customers.

Some retailers have already taken steps to confront the issue, with John Lewis using size 14 mannequins as far back as 2007.

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