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Debenhams, the iconic British department store, is now set to use size 16 mannequins within their stores.  Just last Friday Debenhams unveiled the use of these curvier and more natural looking mannequins in their Oxford Street store located in central London.

However, the use of such mannequins is not a permanent feature and their future presence within Debenhams cannot be guaranteed.  Rather the implementation of size 16 models is merely a trial and ultimately their fate lies in the hands of the consumer.  Debenhams are very interested in gauging consumer opinion when it comes to this matter.  Consequently the mannequins which have are now being used have signs positioned next to them which say “I’m a size 16 do you want to see more of me?”  Whether the mannequins are maintained within the store is entirely attributable to the consumer response to their usage.  If consumers respond positively to their use throughout the department store then it is probable they will remain as a prominent feature.

At the present time these mannequins are being used within Debenhams’ shop windows in order to promote the range of clothes designed by Ben de Lisi for Principles.  The use of such mannequins is thought to be a move which challenges the stereotypical and traditional views which are all too often applied to the fashion industry.  In fact the majority of mainstream fashion stores, with the exception of specialist plus size fashion shops, use size 8 or 10 mannequins, this is despite the fact that the average British woman is a size 14-16.  What’s more Debenhams have revealed that 42% of its women’s wear sales come from size 14 and 16 clothing.

Given that size 14 and 16 women contribute greatly to Debenhams’ sales it seems only right that these women see a mannequin which better reflects their body type and moreover provides them with a fairer reflection of what certain clothes look like on a size 16 body.  Furthermore, given that Debenhams sells a wide range of plus size fashion, with some items available up to a size 26 it seems only right that more voluptuous mannequins are used.