March 15, 2013 at 12:51 PM ET
Imgur
A photograph of mannequins has gone viral.
A photograph of two mannequins with softer, more realistic body proportions than the average display dummy has re-ignited the debate over body image.
The lingerie-clad mannequins, displayed in an unknown store, have fleshier stomachs and fuller thighs than are typically seen in stores. Both are far from overweight, as many people have noted in comments about the widely circulated photo.
“Those aren’t mannequins, they are real women, and they are gorgeous,†wrote one of more than 2,800 commenters to the Facebook photo posted by Women’s Rights News.
The organization, which suggested in its caption that "the U.S. should invest in some of these," received more than 53,000 likes on the photo, which has been shared more than 16,200 times.
The origin of the photo remains unclear, as does the location where it was taken. Originally rumored to be from an H&M store in Sweden, a representative for the company told TODAY they do not have these mannequins in their stores. The image doesn't appear to be particularly new, either: It was shared online as early as April 2012.
Women's Rights News could not immediately be reached for comment.
The average American woman is a size 12 or 14, which is more than double the size of typical mannequins used in retail clothing stores.
The photo has also drawn concern from some fans who said the mannequins still aren’t real enough.
“Can’t they make them a little chunkier?†said one woman.
In recent years, more realistic-looking mannequins have also raised criticism that the models reflect the nation's obesity problem, or even add to it.
http://www.today.com/style/real-women-mannequins-go-viral-1C8884904
