Lingerie stores across the city call think the move is a publicity stunt. Why should BMC have the last word?
Ritu Tawde a Shiv Sena corporator feels that mannequins which are placed wearing lingerie or sexy clothes outside their establishments or at their window display encourage men to think of women as ‘objects’, make advances at them, as well as commit crimes against them.
Tawde decides this on one sole evidence, "In my area in Ghatkopar, the shops near SNDT College on MG Road display revealing night suits and night gowns.Even though the target audience or clientele are women, most women lower their head in embarrassment when they cross such shops."
The BMC has decided to take action against shop owners who keep mannequins in ‘provocative’ clothes outside their establishments.
Of course in this truly democratic country the local authority will define what is offensive and what is not.
Let's see what the people in the industry have to say about this issue.
Narresh Kukreja the creative director of Shivan And Narresh a swimsuit brand says, "The very fact that people feel female mannequins dressed in lingerie represent women as sex objects means that they cannot and don't want to see women beyond that image. If we want women to build the nation we need to get past such pettiness."
To give full focus to the garments their outlets have minimum headless mannequins, though Kukreja feels that "intimate" garments can be fully marketed only if they are displayed on the human anatomy.
He also adds that, "Mumbai is supposed to be the cultural hub of the country. To have such regressive policies passed by its authorities is truly disappointing."
Rupal Gaggar creative merchandiser of designer store Creo says, "The motive of this policy is way out of proportion. First of all being bare does not mean being provocative. Men don't stare lecherously at mannequins they stare at real women!
"By banning female mannequins from wearing lingerie or sexy clothes we are sending yet again the same regressive message - that women need to change. I say let's try to change the men's mentality. Can the BMC guarantee that such a ban would decrease sexual violence against women even by 1%?" Gaggar's boutique which is on Kemps Corner offers avant garde formal and informal women's garments sourced from various designers.
On another note, Gaggar adds, "I was planning to have a swimsuit collection because Mumbai has very few of them, but how are customers suppose to know that if I don't put it on display. A poster cannot do what a mannequin does for marketing. Authorities need to consider the adverse affect their policy could have on retails."
Rafi Ahmed a small time ladies' undergarment seller on Crawford Market who recently removed his female mannequin displays said confidently, "The BMC's proposed policy will not affect my sales but it is an absolute publicity stunt on their part. Ask my customers if they feel embarrassed by such displays."
The store-Fancy Shop under Hira building is nearly 70 years old and has women of all ages comfortably making inquiries about bra sizes, one even asked Ahmed which size he would suggest.
Raja Faram a mannequin trader for the past 50 years at Crawford Market says, "Why target mannequins? There is enough vulgarity on T.V and in films.That's what showbiz is all about."
When asked if mannequins play an important visual role when choosing between two kinds of undergarments, a street bra seller at Linking Road said, "Madam you know you would be more attracted to the garment that shows you how it will fall on your body. Why ask?"
International brand Marks And Spencer that has a collection of lingerie and swimsuits bought by a large number of brand loyal customers says, "We will adhere to any proposed new legislation when it comes into place."
Interestingly this is what actor director Farhan Akhtar has to say about the issue on twitter-
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