Sportswear manufacturer Nike has introduced plus-size mannequins at its flagship London store.
This reflects a larger societal shift towards body acceptance, sparked by the body positivity movement, which was created to encourage people to love the skin that they are in - regardless of size.
In the video below, Hayley Hasselhoff explains what it's like to be a plus-size model:
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However, one arena where larger people have been left feeling particularly stigmatized is in sports. This is why Nike's plus-size mannequin is important; it demonstrates that everyone has the right to be active.
This mannequin was unveiled on the women's floor of Nike's store - alongside para-sport mannequins.
Nike has been praised as being a market leader for providing sportswear for women above a size 16 (US 20).
The sportswear brand introduced its first plus-size range in February of 2017 and since then has collaborated with a number of well-known plus-size models to promote its message of body positivity.
One of these models is Chloe Elliott, pictured below.
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To put the importance of Nike's plus-size mannequins into context, other well-known brands like River Island have removed their plus-size range from their stores to online only, further demonstrating why the body positivity movement is so important.
The women's floor of Nike's London store has been completely revamped into a sports extravaganza where visitors can have 1:1 on bra fittings and even speak to Nike trainers.
Sarah Hannah, Nike's GM/VP for Women in EMEA, said:
"With the incredible momentum in women's sport right now, the re-designed space is just another demonstration of Nike's commitment to inspiring and serving the female athlete.
"This is more than a shopping experience, it's a destination to celebrate sport just in time for an incredible summer of football, netball, athletics and more."
Hopefully, Nike's decision to represent all body types will encourage other major brands to follow suit.