Petite models question

Sheena submitted this question via comments.

My sister/partner and I are among the participating designers at this year’s San Francisco Fashion Week. This is our first major fashion show. I have a question that you might want to entertain.

Our line focuses on female petites, catered to those 5’4″ and under. What are your thoughts on using petite models on the runway? We’ve been told that using models under 5’8″ will make the clothes look bad, even overwhelming and may negatively effect our reviews. Do you or anybody think this is true? Any opinions on short runway models?

Personally, I’d think using petite models would be fine as the clothing would be sized to fit them proportionately. Or have we become so accustomed to disproportionately tall -and thin- women that by comparison, the line would appear inordinate? Do any of you have any experience, advice or opinions regarding the use of petite models?

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50 comments

  1. jinjer says:

    Sheena–First of all, I look forward to seeing your show at fashion week!

    THis is a big issue with me. Personally, I find all habits relating to using incredibly tall figures (for sketching, modelling, etc.) in the fashion industry totlly disgusting. Is desrespectful to normal people, baically saying that we (I’m 5’4″) would look better if we’re taller.

    I’ve talked to so many school-educated designers about this, and can only come to the conclusion that’s it’s a mass brainwash, because while they all vehemently defend the practice, no-one can give practical reasons why long figures are better, or give personal experience seeing how bad smaller figures look.

    Personally, I think you should use cute, graceful models that fit your clothes well. Check out this photo of a friend that modelled one of my outfits. She’s 5 foot, period. Tell me if you think she looks overwhelmingly bad

  2. Karen C. says:

    I agree with Jinjer. When I studied in Milan I was told to sketch my figures abnormally tall and thin, though it didn’t represent my target market, women over 40. When I’ve shown those sketches to my women, they are offended because it doesn’t represent them accurately and just continues the myth that something is wrong with us. I hope you do use the right size models for your show. BTW, what day and time are you scheduled? I’ll definitely show up and cheer you on.

  3. Beverly says:

    I totally agree with jinjer and Karen. I’ll go one step further. I don’t watch much “fashion” because the models look, quite frankly, like burned out druggies. Is this what the target market really expects from a runway show? I thought the emphasis should be on the clothes, but those models just draw my attention to how ridiculous the whole thing has become. When did the concept of “real clothes – real women” become obselete?
    Jinjer – I do not think your link to your model is working…I would love to see her!

  4. jean says:

    I would think that buyers of petite fashions would want to sell the clothes. The clothes will only sell if they look good on petite women. So it would make common sense to use petite models. But since when does groupthink equal common sense?

    If the buyer’s fashion eye is subconsciounsly trained to a “nine head” look, using models that are too petite may lose sales. While I abhor the brainwashing created by the tall thin silhouette, it also doesn’t make sense to ask a new entrepreneur to carry this battle on his/her own dollar.

    So how about using 5″4″ models — on the tall side of petite. If you KNOW that your clothes look good on petite women, once you are rich and famous you can hire me to model them!! (a plus petite lol!)

    best of luck with your new line

  5. Stylebites says:

    I’ve left an extended answer to this at my blog.

    Basically I think that yes, you will lose sales if you’re not very careful about your model choice. Alternatively you could host an “event” instead of a “show” and display the clothing in an artistic way without models.

    And I hate to be the one who’s going to come out and say it but yes Jinjer, I do think that your model looks bad. I’m sure she’s attractive in person but you really need slim, slim girls to look good if they are under 5’9″. Sad but true.

  6. Amber says:

    Sheena,

    Let me start out by saying HALLEfreakinLUJAH!!!! FINALLY!!! I’m 4’10 and have always had to shop in the juniors section to find clothes that fit me. It was fine when I was in high school, but since then, my look has become more refined. However, the clothes being offered to me have not! Even though I’ve never found anything that I like, I still find myself checking out the “Missy” section or “Petite Sophisticate” hoping to find something cute. Sure, the pant lengths fit me, but the waistlines are jacked up over my belly-button! And the tops just look “old-ladyish” on me. WTF???!!

    There is a huge market out there for what you guys are doing that no one has successfully tapped into yet. You are on to something BIG & I wish you the best of luck!!!!

    Oh, and about the petite model question, I have always heard the same thing regarding clothes “looking bad”. I’ve worked in fashion show production quite a bit, and I agree with everyone else that has posted here. I definitely think you should use petite models because THAT is who your target customer is. It wouldn’t make sense for Lane Bryant to use rail-thin models to try and sell to the plus-size market, it would confuse the buyers and potential customers. And, although many people think otherwise, the true purpose of having a show is to SELL your clothes and promote/establish a company image! So, as long as the clothes fit the models properly and they know how to be professional on the runway (i.e. no pageant poses, etc.), I think the show will be fantastic!! Besides, your motto says “We are small, we are proud, we will be noticed”. Stand behind that statement 100% and do not waver!! You’ve got all of us other petites supporting you!!!

    All my best to you!!!! :o)

  7. Deb Fox says:

    How ridiculous it would be to use tall models for petite scaled clothing! They would look absurd! I’m 5 feet tall and know that clothing made and designed for me just doesn’t fit or hang well on a taller person. I think that the people who suggested you use tall models are idiots!

  8. av says:

    I say go for petite models. There should be little runway tricks you can pull off to make your petite models appear longer. My sister is 5′, size 6 and I always forget her height because she usually has platform or heal style shoes. She has picked clothes that give her the illusion of looking longer plus she is long waisted. I would really work hard to find models that are proportioned correctly to each style. Take photos and really knit pick them. You may need to change shoe style to create the right illusion. I would also be careful of boots with skirts/dresses, not a lot of people can pull that off in a flattering way. Especially since most petites do not wear long skirts. Also look at how the audience will be viewing the runway. If they are looking up somewhat at the runway, that could be in your favor. And if you have a photographer doing pictures during the show, pick their brain on a good angle to shoot from. My line is children’s clothing and it took me a year to know the right angle to photograph from. When you are looking down or at the same level as someone shorter than you, their pictures will look squatty.

  9. Stylebites says:

    Just a quick note to what Avat wrote above…in my experience directing fashion shoots (not runway, I admit) lower angles (the camera angled up from below eye level) makes thighs look huge. You may have better luck with a higher angle. Try it out.

    And definately hire someone with experience shooting runway so you’re left with great photos of this momentous occasion!

    Good luck!

  10. Sheena says:

    Thank you for all of your comments. It’s great to hear opinions from both angles. We were pretty torn between either standing up for our “petite” philosophy or worrying about sales and reviews. Thing is, the producers are very convinced that “buyer’s fashion eye is subconsciously trained to a ‘nine head’ look,” as Jean put it, and strongly recommend that we use taller models. For the past few days, we thought we’d play the rebel and use cute, short girls to walk for us, using 5’2-5’4″ ladies. But is it worth the risk when our company is so young? We’d hate to lose sales and risk getting bad reviews because we didn’t use industry standard models. If it were that easy to flip a switch and reverse the “brainwashing” that Jean mentioned, we’d opt for shorter models in a heartbeat.

    And Deb, I know it sounds ridiculous to use tall girls for petite scaled clothing. That’s exactly what I thought when the producers approached me about this model issue. But the more my sister and I think about it, the more we lean towards using taller models. To compromise, I’ve asked the producers if we can aim for 5’6″ models. Though are samples are made for shorter women, I dearly hope we can get away with 5’6″. I think 5’8″ is just pushing it too much.

    Thanks again for the support & feedback. And thanks to those who can make it to our show. Karen & Jinjer, we’re scheduled for August 26 @ 9:15pm. Please feel free to drop me a note after the show. Thanks, everyone! I’ll keep you posted.

  11. Kate says:

    It seems to me that the reason one would create a line for petite women is that most clothes are proportioned incorrectly and rarely seem to translate well for them, even when altered to fit. Therefore, using tall women would defeat the purpous of your lines intention, and possibly insult the audience you’re looking to sell to.

  12. Alison Cummins says:

    I liked the solution Stylebites proposed of hiring only really really skinny Petite models. That keeps the linear proportions that fashion buyers are used to while maintaining the scale of the clothes. (No wrists dangling out of jackets, no knee-length skirts being worn as micro-minis. I’m trying to remember where I saw photos of a line of standard sizes being shown on tall models, and how the style seemed to be all short skirts and shrunken jackets when in fact when worn by standard-sized women it was much more classic.)

  13. jinjer says:

    Beverly,

    try copy and paste:
    http://flickr.com/photos/wildjinjer/

    Stylebites:
    I agree, my friend doesn’t look like a runway model scaled down, but that’s exactly my point. She’s cute & proportional, even if she is 5 foot, and I stand by my beleif that in order to be respectful to our real-woman customers, we need to re-train our eye to recognize their beauty. Judging frm some of the reactions here, that may be a gamble that’s ready to pay off. Clearly, it’s still a gamble, and sheena will have to decide whether it’s worth it!

    On the “nine head look”–no real human I’ve ever met is nine heads tall. My incredibly tall, thin, husband is 7 heads, as are most runway models-type figures I’ve ever seen (I have this weird habit of counting heads when I meet tall people.). If you’ve seen a photograph of a taller woman, you can bet the photograph was stretched.

  14. jj says:

    Another short girl here. I would suggest you use short models, but not super short models. 5’4″ and very slender, even 5’5″. The buyers are going to be accustomed to seeing clothes on very tall women, but you have to walk a line here because if you use standard models the proportions are going to look quite silly on them.

  15. Crystal says:

    I’m all for it. I think that it is too hard for women (like myself) that fit in the 5’4 and under to find clothing that is in style, suites their age and helps them accentuate their figure.

  16. Madeline says:

    I’m 5’2 and would love to see petite models on the runway: for once I would be able to picture the clothing straight off the model, instead of assuming that I’d have to nip, tuck or give up on the fashion altogether. It would also be amazing for us Asian girls as we tend to be shorter then the Caucasian average.

  17. nicole says:

    I think that if your going to use a petite model they should be slim and slender so that look alittle long in photo and not froppy!!

  18. sarra says:

    I personally think that all kinds of models should be used on the runway.Petites,tall and lean , plus size, whatever.Diversity is important.Isn’t that what AMERICA is all about?
    Being 5’3″,you can guess how i feel.Thanks!

  19. Shawna says:

    Hey everyone. I am 5’4″ and weigh 110 lbs. I am a petite model. I have really long legs that drive me crazy. I look so out of whack. But designers love it because I look longer. I think height is over rated in the fashion industry. There are alot of gorgeous women out there of all shapes and sizes that should be modeling, but don’t fit the “package”. It frustrates me that there is a prejudiced look at women for their size. No wonder there are so many young girls out there with self esteem problems and plastic surgeons so busy. My motto is be true to myself. That’s my 2 cents woth. Do I think you should use petite models “ABSOLUTELY”!!! Designers should cater to all women so that they can look fabulous.

  20. Cassie says:

    I feel the idea of having models that short is wonderful!! I’m petite and it upsets me to see nothing but tall models when in fact many women of the population are petite. I think it would be natural to have the exact sized people show the clothes which the same size people will be buying it…

  21. shell says:

    I was 5 foot 6 and 88 lbs when i was 13!!! I noticed all the people that commented are “petite” and you guys are just trying to defend yourself. Everyone’s always insulting model and model-types by saying they are abnormal and weird. I am not a model but i still dont go around insulting short, fat people.

    rude. models are people too.

  22. Mehgan says:

    I agree with the above notice. Although I can sympathize with women who are left out because fashion portrays a small range of sizes that are not diverse (which should corrected), it is unfair to be hypicritical and therefore criticize women who do fit the fashion guidelines of the moment because of hereditary. An example is how a comment was made referring to shorter women as “real women,” I would like to know what that means. Like saying real women have curves. I can understand that there are types of women who are more discriminated than others and therefore use these terms as a defense. But all women are real women and all types have the possibility of being discriminated, it depends on the beholder. I have no curves, and have been very thin my whole life despite my eating habbits. And I have been ridiculed from a child to an adult. I am constantly being accused of aneorexia. And a large number of men have actually turned me down based on my thinness. So it takes all types. I remember in high school, that tall women were actually ridiculed, and now they are desired, tastes are constantly changing. We just need to be more tolerant of each others differences.

    [this is kathleen here]
    If you noticed there were two comments following this one and wonder why I deleted them, it’s because “mehgan” wrote them using another name in an attempt to drive her points home from “other” perspectives. Same IP, same time period. It’s nothing against her viewpoints. If anything, I sympathize, I have no dog in this fight.

  23. denise says:

    my daughter is tryin to break into the model industry,on many occassions being told shes to short( 5’2 )shes beautiful and as been accepted by some promotional companies,however thats as far as its got,whilst catwalk models have to be of a certain hieght surely this is saying u must look crap in clothes if you are not at this hieght,no wonder we have so many young girls,struggling with the way they look,some girls going to desperate measures to b a certain way,sometimes with serious results.There should be a fashion show that covers all shapes and sizes only then are we saying you can look good no matter what size you are with the right clothes,surely anyone with any sense would see this was also a money breaker but most importantly we would be educating the younger generation to be excepting of others, as kids can be very mean to each other over the way they are,and its grown ups that make them like this by basically saying you should be a certain way which is protrayed by the media,magazines,tv programmes etc,yet we scorn them for being spiteful,when they are only reacting to certain ways in which us grown ups are showing them…..you must be 5’8 and slim to be special,which is rubbish.

  24. Claire says:

    I dont understand why petite models can’t be used. The average height of a woman in Britain is 5’4. Models must be at least 5’7. The amount of people who are intrested in fashion say the like certain fashions but are convinced the clothes will look silly on their normal 5’4 frame. Surely if you want to sell clothes you should appeal to the largest market?- normal people!

  25. hi all,

    a very good issue for discussion. I am a designer and I also model my own work. I am 5’2″ in bare feet (the same height as Kyle Minogue). I weigh 7 1/2 stone (not sure what that is in pounds)and have an inside leg of 29″.

    I find that tall, thin, almost sex-less models are not true representaions of the human figure on the high street, (androgeny is fine as a stylistic ‘look’, but women with no bust shaping are a difficult challenge for a pattern cutter). Yes, aesthetically on the cat-walk they look stunning, but your avarage client will not look a thing like that. Design illustration tends to be an artistc ideal also, with elongated figures and long-long legs. But again, real people don’t look like this. It’s a matter of ideal versus reality.

    I generally shop in the petite section of stores, or the teens section. I can be anything between a high street size UK 6-8-10, as there really is no industry standard anymore. Size UK have just completed a nationwide body-scanning survey to create a new set of standards, and this is used by the Monsoon brand at present.

    Generally, I find that garments for ‘petite’ figures are scaled down versions of larger standards, therefore problems such as incorrect bust-fit or waist points are an issue. Proportion is sacrifced for a ‘small’ version.

    If I was showing maternity wear, I would use pregnant models – if I was making petite clothing, I would need to use petite models (under 5’4″ in shoes certainly.)

    excellent topic for discussion (my pictures are at http://www.whispandthread.co.uk for examples of myself as a petite model)

    Lauren in England

  26. Catayah says:

    I realize this fashion show has already been held, and I hope that it was a huge success. I wonder if, by stepping “outside of the box,” you did or would have brought more attention to what some consider a fairly humdrum routine of designing, creating, and showcasing the same clothes on the same figures. I agree with what nearly all the comments. A “real” woman is not defined by height and weight. It is unfair to criticize any woman for NATURALLY looking the way she does. I am a 5’3″ 95 pound woman who has found it extremely difficult to fit the “model” or “normal” categories that have been imposed on us. I am tired of people thinking they hold and know the key to real womanhood. Lets celebrate one another and forge a place for all women to publicly represent the many facets of womanhood.

  27. Settit says:

    i wanted to try out for petite modelling but petite modelling starts at 5″2 and im 5″1 (but im a teen so maybe ill grow some more) and dont see what the deal is with tall models, its discrimination and insulting to women as the average height (for england and america) is about 5″4, and that is considered “petite.” i think they should also lower the height requirements a little e.g. 5″6 isnt really petite. maybe instead of 5″8 and above- 5″7 and above.

  28. Suzy says:

    I would love to see more petite clothing models as I am 5’1 and nothing fits me. I would also love to model petite clothes but perhaps I am even too short for that but I am extremely skinny just under 90 lbs. which is a natural weight for me as my parents are small too. I have two problems when shopping and one is I am short and two is I am too skinny for even a size 2 and 0’s barely exist and can be too big for me if they are not petite 0 sized.

  29. Hello everyone,

    I would like to voice up my humble thoughts if that does not offend anyone…

    I am a model, 5′ 6″ in height and wear a size 2 to size 4. Despite the height (or lack of it) I have done a few runway shows, and I actually enjoy ramp modelling very much. Nevertheless, height has always been a huge setback, although my saving grace is that I look taller on the ramp (because I have shorter torso and longer legs) and that my walk is pretty decent. I was accepted to do most of the shows I did because they gave me the opportunity to audition, to show what I’ve got. Most of the time though, a client takes a look at me or my portfolio and I immediately got sent into the rejected corner because of the height issue.

    I have choreographed some shows for the clients, and I’ve observed that for runway modelling, I guess the perspective will always be of a low angle because the ramp is elevated and the audience are looking from below. Models with long legs would tend to look taller, and those who have longer waist or torso would appear shorter from a low angle perspective. For prints, a high angle makes the model looks short, and yes, low angle makes the thighs look chunky and huge.

    Anyway I am extremely excited and euphoric having bumped into this page… it seems that not everyone or every fashion designer thinks that shorter models are totally worthless on the runway. And this gives us hope, no matter how minimal it is :)

    Thank you.

    P/S My portfolio could be viewed at http://www.impactfolios.com/esstelle/

  30. Danielle says:

    Just a question – does anyone think Kylie Minogue or Eva longoria look bad? They are both petite and generally regarded as very beautiful.
    I’m not an expert but… Aren’t fashion shows partially about standing out? If you used shorter models you certainly would stand out and draw attention, and if you agree with the statement: ‘There is no such thing as bad publicity.’ then even better for you.
    No one will ever agree 100 percent on anything, there will always be people who disagree stand up for what you believe in and hopefully your courage will show through your designs.
    best of luck.

  31. contempocasual13 says:

    Fun Fact: Even Longorie and Alyssa Milano are both 5’2″ and neither of them look bad in fact Eva Longoria was a petite model and clothes don’t look like crap on her.

  32. angie says:

    This is an issue that has always bothered me. I’ve always been told by people that you’re petite and have an interesting face… but height wise it’s a waste of time. I’m only 5’2 and very petite… but yet there’s no one on the runways that looks like me. I’ve always dreamed of modeling… and told my mom when I was 10 that modeling is what I want to do. I see now that hey I’m short and model standards don’t seem to be changing too much lately and this probably will never happen. It just seems like if you’re 5’11 and tinny you got the job… don’t mind the shorty with the interesting face there… she’s way too short. I think clothes on me look just as good in a photo as they do on a tall person. I do believe generally you need to be thin if you want to be a petite model… because that might look a little weird in a photograph if you cant fit into the clothes designers give you. Also on a short person who’s average… in a photograph it looks more like pudgy. I’m not saying in real life these women aren’t gorgeous… but it doesn’t show up all that well in a picture. If you want to photograph short women you need to have thin tinny girls all around. And need to be proportionate all around there body. You have plus size women models out there why not short women? I don’t see trya banks talking about that… every time its she’s pretty but she’s just too short… why? Why is that such a huge issue today?

  33. johanna says:

    i completely agree with having petite models on the runways. i’ve been told many times that i should become a model. i have the body, i have the face, but not the height. thats the only thing that holds me back, plus probably a thousand others. but my point is still valid. there are many young women who have the body, the face, but not the height. that shouldnt hold them back. i believe height shouldnt really be a holdback but a advantage. there’s plus size models, why not petites?

  34. stephania says:

    Hi,

    I think that if designers are going to use plus-size models, they should use petite models. If they are so scared that the clothes won’t “hang” as well, then use thin petite models as a stepping stone. I was rejected multiple times because of the simple fact that I was too short. Even though they said I was proportionate and had a good face, I was too short. I could do print work, but I was hoping to do something that would break the tradition a little more.

  35. Iv says:

    I would agree that using petites for a petite line would relate to your target audience. Diversity should be a part of your show as well! The fashion industry is changing.Plus size models that are runway tall are being represented. It would be fair to say that this is a positive step for women all together. Now we should embrace all diversity in fashion and get our petite plus, petite skinny on a runway–change our mindset and perception of what we should all look like. We all have to buy clothes, and who should be able to take away our right as a consumer to look good in clothes! I am actually in production of starting a community for short people(because I’m 5’1)!My intention is not to shun tall people, it’s to put petites on the map where they should already be! I started a lens on squidoo.com/Anything for shorty.I definately need work on it but-it’s ok..

  36. Rowena says:

    Go for petite models….you have to try something new. Fashion show is not only belong for tall models. Petite models has been critised many time..so proved them wrong. Petite models has a big space in the fashion industries…its just no body dares to trust them. there were so many ideas out there, people thought was ridicolous but became huge and successful. try to be one of them.

  37. Rowena says:

    I just been on your website…and its increadible beautiful. I like all your clothes…very ellegant…actually i am a filipina and really surprised when i found out that the founder of Tamiece are filipinas. I have problem myself buying clothes here in England because I’m 5’3 tall i have to go to Next because they have petite size or Marks
    and spencer but sometimes they have very limited petite clothes. I love Fashion so much..i have seen different kinds of fashion because i have been traveling around the world…then suddenly came into my mind the thoughts about petite models on the runway…which is the reason why i found out your website.
    I hope i can be one of your model someday (he he he) or help you spread your mission here in europe.

    best wishes.
    Rowena
    from England

  38. mk says:

    I think it’s a good idea! However, I don’t see the “long, thin” models being replaced with anything else anytime soon. I mean after all that shape does let the clothes hang the best. If it was supposed to be a beauty contest on the runway, then the kind of girls that enter miss usa would be on the catwalk….but that would distract from the clothing.

  39. Nyla Poser says:

    I’m all for having petite models, everywhere, but especially on the runway. I watch the fashion shows on my new HD programming and am appalled at how really unhealthy many of the runway models look. Like walking mannequins really. And someone else mentioned the “walk.” Very very few of those long thin girls have a good walk, IMHO. So many look like horses prancing. A few have the ability to put one foot in front of the other without it looking really weird, but most don’t. A couple have a leg swing that if they were skaters, Dick Button would mark them down.

    AS a consumer, I find it really silly looking and a big distraction from looking at the clothes themselves.

    I’m 58, 5’3″ and have a womanly figure: not petite and not obese, but can’t ever find anything on the runway that looks like I could wear it in a flattering manner.

  40. Asia Buys says:

    I am 5′ even and am an aspiring model. I would love to see some petite runway in the future.

    Having done variety runway for local designers, I know for a fact that if the clothing is made proportionately to the model, the end product looks just as good as the clothing designed for taller women. It’s also unfair to limit the runway industry to women 5’11” – 6’+ as most women these days aren’t that tall. For a while I kept saying how much I had wished I was taller and finally my fiance made a very good point – “it’s because of your height that gives you such a controlable center of gravity, making you more graceful to watch than most taller women.” I don’t know if he’s flatering me or not, but I have know many petite and average height girls who have the most stunning looks and graceful walks I have ever seen and were turned down for runway because they were an inch or two too short. It’s not fair.

    Designers have a specific market, and the market responds to how the product is displayed. So, why not display the product more in a more flattering and appropriate way?

    I vote for runway modeling to be open to all shapes and sizes, fitting to the designer’s styles. It’ll speak to the public more, not to mention give a lot of girls out there a much better image of themselves, by either seeing models like themselves and those who can strut on stage and finally get acknowledged as beautiful.

    ~A

  41. Riz says:

    I am just 5 feet, and i would love to be a model. This is a huge issue. Petite people do not look crap in clothes. And thats a fact.

  42. Anna says:

    It is so stupid that only tall women can be really successful in modeling when it is obvious that shorter women are just as attractive. It’s not the height that matters, it’s the proportions. Kylie Minogue was voted “Best Legs”–she’s only just over 5 feet and beat out all the amazon supermodels and tall actresses like Charlize Theron and Cameron Diaz! Not to mention that Eva Longoria was voted “Best Body” many times. Long legs don’t mean crap–many long legs look like pencils and have no shape. Since it’s obvious that shorter women are just as attractive and can pull off clothes in an equally attractive, yet different, way, why not use them?

    Of course they should be THIN though. Short, fat women would not flatter the product. :)

  43. Jen says:

    Hi,

    i would just like to say thank you so much for giving at least the idea of short models on the runway a chance! really, just because we’re short (im 5’0) doesn’t mean we make the clothing look bad! Actually, i have pretty long legs for someone as short as me. Yet, runway shows don’t give us girls a chance. Thank you!!

    – Jen

  44. BrutallyUgly says:

    Im an aspiring model..but im just 5″2..having this unconventional height has been really disappoiinting to me..i have always wanted to be a catwalk model.. but i guess im never gonna get the chance..i think we equally deserve to be a runway model..we are worth a chance!!!

  45. Marina says:

    If they show a tall woman on the picture, I would not buy and item, because I’d have no idea how it would look on me. Using taller models for petite fashions is a totall turnoff for customers, and I already did not buy about 5 of 8 items on one website, because models were tall and I’m 5’4″. So, if’ it’s a petite site, use shorter models please only. Choosing taller people over shorter is not fair to shorter people anyways.

  46. Mary says:

    I’m really glad I came across this site. I’m 5’2″ I have the hourglass shape, but over the past 4 years I’ve put on a lot of weight and struggle with finding shorts and pants that look good on me. Do I still fall under the petite size even though I’m 200 lbs? I keep searching sites for answers. I think if there were more short runway models we could actually see what styles would work for us. I’m totally cute, and I don’t think I look horrible event though I’m really over weight. Thanks for the site and don’t give up on your dream to broaden the eyes of fashion designers/shows. Us short people are “everywhere” and we do wear and buy clothes. lol.

  47. Livi says:

    although I think tall models look very etheral and beautiful on the runway, I think that petite women (such as myself, I am 15 and 5ft3) can look just as good, provided that the clothes are tailored to their needs. I think its possible for petite models to look almost doll like and therefore very beautiful. I always had a secret dream to be a model, maybe not runway, I dont think I am pretty enough for this, and I feel like I cant ever model, even as a one off because of my height. I think if you used petite models it would be inspiratinal to girls like me everywhere.

  48. Jordan says:

    I am five foot one inch. I am 17 and have always secretly wanted to be a model. My height has hidden those dreams. Only my mom really knows but she doesn’t encourage it. I am also a gymnast, so i have muscle and for the modeling industry i never could figure out if that was a good thing or not. Does anyone know? I feel like i am a beautiful person. Ash blonde hair. Big green eyes. I wouldn’t call my face typical. Kinda different in subtle way. Girls need petite models to feel better bout how they look and feel when they look in the mirror. If they’re were more petite models i bet clothing sales of high priced designers would sky-rocket and most girls would start to look at themselves in a more positive way. It would be a nice change and i hope my generation of women will be able to make petite modeling happen.

  49. Sammantha says:

    Hello, my name is Sammantha. I have always wanted to walk on the runway, and I think the clothes wouldnt look bad, because they are made for petite women. I am 5’2′ i have always dreamed of walking on the runway but yet again i am petite. I think that the fashion industries are wrong about only making clothes that fit for tall women, when 3% of women are like 5’7″. Your clothes would sky rocket because not every woman is in that 3% I would love to model for you if I had the chance.

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