Lingerie store apologizes for mannequins with ribs poking out

A lingerie store has apologized after getting flack for using mannequins whose ribs were showing in a display window.

High-end lingerie store La Perla, in New York City, found itself getting unwanted attention after people began tweeting photos of the mannequins being used at its SoHo-neighborhood boutique. The mannequins were emaciated, with ribs clearly visible.

After a New Yorker tweeted his concern on Sunday along with a photo of one of the mannequins, the story started to spread and the cause was picked up by truth-in-advertising advocate Seth Matlins, according to Jezebel.

The company responded on Monday, saying the photographed mannequin had been removed from the store and wouldn’t be used again.

“We are in the process of redesigning all La Perla stores with a new concept image and the mannequins that are currently displayed in our US stores will no longer be used,” the statement continued. “We appreciate and value everyone’s comments, thank you for bringing this to our attention.”

This isn’t the first time a company has been criticized for using mannequins that looked unhealthy. In 2011, Gap was criticized for using insanely small mannequins to display its “always skinny” jeans. And earlier that year, British clothing line TopShop pulled magazine ads with a skinny female model after anorexia support groups complained.