Shoppers were shocked by ‘living’ mannequins modeling clothes on a moving treadmill

Is this the night of the living dolls?

While many jobs are being automated, some gigs are apparently going in the opposite direction. Shoppers in China were stunned after seeing human “mannequins” modeling clothes while walking on a treadmill, as seen in a viral X video with 8 million views.

“A Chinese retail chain has replaced traditional mannequins with real women walking the treadmill wearing their own clothes,” reads the caption of the somewhat dystopian-looking clip.

According to the post, using people instead of inanimate demo mannequins helps “customers see how clothes fit and move on a person.”

In the somewhat disturbing footage, two of the sensitive clothing racks can be seen walking on moving catwalks, which were positioned outside the ITIB designer clothing store in an unspecified mall in China, News18 reported.

All the while, passers-by can be seen stopping by the display, mesmerized by the rush the hamster wheel causes.

Commentators had mixed reactions to the automated treadmill models, with some claiming that the non-stop walking helps keep them in shape as a bonus.

“Not a bad rush if you’re looking for some extra cash…and it keeps you in shape too!” wrote one supporter on X. “Get paid to walk and show off the latest styles!”

“This is outrageous. I suppose it’s job security and helps them get their bearings for the day,” said another.

Others found the work too much.

“Lol … that doesn’t sound like some dehumanizing unskilled weirdo job, does it?” said one opponent, as he scorned the monotonous looking concert.

Real-life mannequins can look like something out of a Black Mirror episode.

However, many commenters noted that it is rather retro, harkening back to the turn of the century in the US, when clothes were modeled by real people.

“In the 30s, 40s, and 50s, department stores like Bloomingdales had employees walk around displaying clothes for sale so customers could see different styles and know how the clothes looked on a person, ” observed a historian of armchair fashion.