Is it the night of the living models?

While many jobs become automatedsome concerts seemingly go in the opposite direction. Shoppers in China were left 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 swapped traditional mannequins for real women walking on treadmills, wearing their clothes,” reads the caption of the somewhat dystopian-looking clip.

According to the post, using humans rather than inanimate demonstration dolls helps “customers see how clothing fits and moves on a person.”

In the somewhat disturbing footage, two of the sensitive clothing racks can be seen walking on the mobile catwalks, which have been placed outside the ITIB brand clothing store in an unspecified shopping mall in China. News18 reported.

Meanwhile, passers-by can be seen stopping in front of the screen, stunned by the hamster wheel-like commotion.

Commenters had mixed reactions to the automated track models, with some saying the non-stop walking helped them stay fit as a bonus.

“It’s not a bad deal 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!” »

“It’s wild. I guess it’s job security and it helps them take their first steps into the day,” said another.

Others found the work rather redundant.

“Lol…that doesn’t sound like some weird unskilled dehumanization work, does it?” said a dissident while decrying the seemingly monotonous concert.

Real-life models can look like an episode of “Black Mirror.”

However, many commentators pointed out that Conversely, it’s quite retro, recalling the beginning of this century in the United States, when clothes were modeled by real people.

“In the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, department stores like Bloomingdales had their employees walk around displaying clothes for sale so customers could see different styles and know what the clothes looked like on a person,” observed a fashion historian.