HK women are trimmer than those in Spain, says chain store
Plumper mannequins will not be seen in the Hong Kong windows of Spanish fashion chain Mango, despite a pledge by the chain to fatten up its image at home.
Mango says Hong Kong women are smaller than their Spanish sisters so there is no need to upsize its mannequins here as part of efforts to combat the unhealthy desire of young women to appear stick-thin.
Feminists were disappointed by Mango's decision, saying although the Hong Kong government did not have rules covering the issue, the fashion chain should use this opportunity to show it was a responsible corporate citizen.
Cheng Yuen-yi of the Gutsy Women group urged the government to follow European moves to promote views favouring diversity among women.
Last week, Spanish retail chains including Mango and Zara agreed on a 12-point beauty charter with the country's health ministry to combat anorexia, the condition that causes women to starve themselves to appear thin.
The measures mean female mannequins should wear clothes of at least size 38 (10 in Britain; eight in the US). Stick-thin mannequins will be withdrawn from store windows over the next few years.