“Eww! It has pubes!” an onlooker proclaimed as I walked out the door of American Apparel’s store on New York’s East Houston Street. The controversial retailer’s latest display features mannequins showing off more than just lingerie. Beneath their see-through bras and underwear lie nipples and an abundance of pubic hair.

One woman sheepishly tried to steer her young son away. Another mom took pictures to send to her daughter. Some men laughed and pointed, while others walked by unfazed. It’s certainly a conversation starter, and maybe that’s the point. Thanks to Cameron Diaz and her girl Gwyneth Paltrow, we’ve all been wondering if the bush is back.

To get more insight on the matter, we sat down with one of American Apparel’s visual merchandisers, Dee Myles, to discuss those bushy displays.

Styleite: How long have the mannequins been up?

Dee Myles: They went up this morning at 3 a.m., so we put them up last night.

S: What has the response been so far?

DM: You know I find that the response is more curiosity than anything. People don’t seem to have a negative reaction or necessarily an overly positive one. It’s just…They want to know what the stance is and why the decision was made to portray mannequins in that light. So yeah, it’s more of a curious one I would say.

S: What would you say the stance is?

DM: Well, American Apparel has always been a company that celebrates natural beauty. I think that it’s a continuation of that celebration. It’s more so showing a natural form in our lingerie. I think it’s to spark conversation rather than controversy over what we deem beautiful and sexy.

S: So actually putting the mannequins together… Is that hair floating in there? Glued on? Can you buy mannequins like that?

DM: It was an addition to our mannequins, so the mannequins didn’t come that way. Along with the areola and nipples, those were things that were made by our display team. The hair was purchased in a store and added on. That’s actually another part of it. It’s interesting that we’ve gotten so much more of a reaction about the addition of pubic hair rather than the addition of the nipples, so that’s kind of interesting as far as the feedback we’ve gotten.

S: The mannequins have been up for a day. Do you feel you have had more customers coming in or the same amount?

DM: This location? I would say the flow is about average, however there is more interest in our lingerie section, which is wonderful from a company stand point. I like to think its not because we’ve exploited, it’s more an exploration. It’s making everyone see sexy in a more natural way. I think that’s the way we want to sell lingerie — making it for everyone, making it real. And also bringing the sensuality and the lust factor back into Valentine’s Day.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

If you hate Laurence, then don't listen - don't comment. When he co-hosts the B&B show, take that day off ... listen to an old podcast of a Bernstein solo show and jerk off all day.

Did you see that full bush on Girls last night, Hank? Pretty nice, although it happened to appear on a character who was even more obnoxious than the four regulars, something I would have thought to be impossible.

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

That was awful.

However, the rack on the chick on True Detective last night is one of the most glorious things I have witnessed ever on TV. Great ass too.

Did you see that full bush on Girls last night, Hank? Pretty nice, although it happened to appear on a character who was even more obnoxious than the four regulars, something I would have thought to be impossible.

If you hate Laurence, then don't listen - don't comment. When he co-hosts the B&B show, take that day off ... listen to an old podcast of a Bernstein solo show and jerk off all day.

However, the rack on the chick on True Detective last night is one of the most glorious things I have witnessed ever on TV. Great ass too.

I'm all for the return of the bush, albeit trimmed of course. I don't get the attraction of shaved, i.e. like a 10 year old girl.

If you hate Laurence, then don't listen - don't comment. When he co-hosts the B&B show, take that day off ... listen to an old podcast of a Bernstein solo show and jerk off all day.

Those manequins are hilarious. Reminds me of Oscar Gamble for some reason...

I rarely troll.

Dated a couple women who did not shave. Both did not like to receive. I wonder if that was the connection....maybe they felt like since no one was going to be "down there", there was no need to shave.....