Grandmother becomes human mannequin at Montpellier lingerie shop

SHOPPERS had a shock yesterday when they looked at a store window to see a mannequin smiling and waving at them.

And it wasn't a new kind of robotic mannequin – it was 66-year-old Anji Bramley, who donned swimwear to pose in the window of Montpellier lingerie shop Vérité Louise all day.

Grandmother Anji, from Cheltenham, was raising awareness of breast cancer, which she overcame two years ago, as well as the third birthday of the boutique in The Courtyard.

Speaking to the Echo during her stint in the shop window, Anji said: "The reaction from people passing by has been fantastically positive. They have been smiling and waving back at me.

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"I'm in the window all day, but I am allowed to have a quick toilet break and pause for something to eat and drink. I'm not uncomfortable at all."

When asked whether she had any apprehension about stripping down to her swimwear for the public, Anji declared: "I'm not nervous about anything!"

Anji added: "I was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago and got the all clear two years ago.

"This is about celebrating beating breast cancer and Vérité Louise, which is a fantastic local shop."

Husband and wife Matt and Tracey Ball had a shock when they passed by Vérité Louise and saw Anji waving at them.

Matt, 43, said: "It didn't click that it was a real woman at first, and then I realised that she was waving back at me and it was quite a shock.

"When you see her smiling and waving, you are immediately drawn to her, so it's a great idea."

Tracey, 48, said: "She is very brave to do it and looks great."

Vérité Louise owner Vérité Symcox praised Anji for having the courage to be a human mannequin.

She said: "I asked her to do it, as she has been a regular customer here since we first opened and she does our swimwear justice.

"The reaction of customers has been shock, but in a good way. They have been smiling and waving at Anji and coming in to find out what's going on.

"Anji is fantastic for having the courage to do this. I wish all women had her body confidence."

Anji previously posed in the shop's window two years ago to celebrate getting the all clear from breast cancer.