>>25251216May has brunette hair, wears a bandana and tight fitting clothes, has huge breasts and a larger frame. She was clearly designed to appeal to the western audience for two reasons:
1. She was the first new female companion in the anime. The writers had to make sure western fans liked her more than Misty so she didn't bomb as a character.
2. She was the first playable female lead from the start of a gen in R/S, unlike Kris who came with Crystal version.
There's no doubt in my mind May was designed for western fans.