Petite and Plus Sized Models

[sunshinesoleil86]

Hannah Ware from Select Modeling Agency is 5'5

I can't find a picture to post but if you check out SelectModels.com she is listed.

I swear I think height is becoming less of an issue. It's all about being original and unique my brothas and sistas

 

[fashionkitten7]

^ Let's hope you're right...

 

[zionforsell]

Not really. Height is 50% in getting into the industry. (even more) Even if you have a stunning face, but you are short, there are no guarantee you gonna get big or get jobs for more than 2 years. Because viewers tend to remember the face. If you have stunning face, of course you are gonna have cosmetic, perfume ads and such. But those can only use you once. After that, people might get sick of seeing the same face all the time or else. So if you are short, your best chance is to become a commercial model. And a warning, when you are short, clothes that being put on you gonna be mostly skimpy. You are also expected to pose nude more often!

 

[fashionkitten7]

Not really. Height is 50% in getting into the industry. (even more) Even if you have a stunning face, but you are short, there are no guarantee you gonna get big or get jobs for more than 2 years. Because viewers tend to remember the face. If you have stunning face, of course you are gonna have cosmetic, perfume ads and such. But those can only use you once. After that, people might get sick of seeing the same face all the time or else. So if you are short, your best chance is to become a commercial model. And a warning, when you are short, clothes that being put on you gonna be mostly skimpy. You are also expected to pose nude more often!

Wow, plenty of things I've never heard before... Like the posing naked part, for instance... Could it be that the shorter girls are more likely to agree to things cause they feel inadequate and those guys are taking advantage of it ?

And what matters is what exactly you imply by "short". I mean, one thing is being 5'4-5'5 short and the other is 5'7-5'8 short...

But, actually, you know what ? Height being 50% of getting into the industry doesn't sound too bad... In fact, it sounds promising... Cause I always thought it was rather the only way anyone would ever be considered.

 

[zionforsell]

If you are shorter than 5'6, then you should expect to be asked to wear really short, revealing babydoll top and pose naked. It's nothing personal! It's not like you look like a p*rn star, but because of your height. Tall girl will appear tall even with a bundle of clothes. But for a short one, it's best to minimalize the clothes put on her, showing her body will MAKE her taller and leaner. So short model usually has to be thinner than a tall one to archieve the same effect on photo. Not to mention kick-*** body tone!

 

[fashionkitten7]

I understand the having to be thinner part, but does one look taller when naked ?
That's something new to me...

 

[sunshinesoleil86]

I understand the having to be thinner part, but does one look taller when naked ?
That's something new to me...

Good point. The naked thing is a tricky one. What photoshoots are these "short models" posing for in the nude? Vogue? Or those "low rider" car magazines?

I guess Devon Aoki is a good example of a "short model" who achieves the tall look by being super thin

 

[_hannah]

but is Hannah ware did runway ????

 

[writergal28]

Jane March is 5'2 and did some beauty modeling before she got into acting. But she's pretty much disappeared from acting AND modeling now...

I really don't height should have anything to do with whether you are successful as a model or not. I think the industry constantly contradicts itself when "real" models have to be 5'10 to appear in their ads, yet they might sign someone like Avirl Levigne (who is like 5'2 or 5'3) or some other very petite celebrity as their next spokesperson. Maybe I should come up with a line that is for petite and average heighted women and then DEMAND that no model over 5'6 be in any of my shows.

 

[zionforsell]

Height is big. Celebs are chosen because they have huge fanbase and money and influence. They are not chosen because they look like models. Most agency likes their girls to be at least 5'8. Some will take 5'6 but um...maintaining a thin body for them is a hassel, they constantly tell you to drop weight. And every single damn time you try on clothes, they are gonna complain: "Hm... it's too long for you!" "You're a bit short, sweetie, let see..." "If we give this to __, we wouldnt have to shorten it!".... Can you deal with it??? I couldn't.

 

[writergal28]

So Zion, you're saying that if someone comes out with a line that's specifically for short and average heighted women, that it'll never, ever fly? If this designer specifically asks for more petite models, he or she will be criticized by the rest of the industry?

 

[Lil_Flip246]

Toccara Jones from ANTM CYCLE 3. She is STILL with Wilhemina Models.

 

[zionforsell]

UM...I think you misunderstand me somehow. I said it's hard to be a model if you're not tall. I didn't say anything about clothing industry regarding petit line and normal line. But here is a thought:

Fashion is a very fantasized world. It is a world that no one is obese. Everyone has perfect skin and stunning features. It is the bubble of the world. Most of the clothes used in runway are very dramatic. The purpose of runway show is not to show beautiful models, but beautiful clothes. Everyone knows the taller you are, the more elegant clothes will look. Example: if a tall person models a gown, the designer can show off more with layers of fabrics, more flowing, more elegant, more impressive. But if a short person models a gown like that, the gown needs to be made shorter so there is less of the dramatic effect. Also, a short model in a long over-flowing gown will look ridiculous. NOTICE that I'm not saying the model is ridiculous, but THE GOWN will. So the gown will appear...a no-no to fashion critics.

There is a lot of petit line, but hardly any of them has runway show. If there is runway show from petit line, they still use tall models. Sad but true. Hey, I'm short too. I know how hard it is to be short.

 

[writergal28]

Zion, not if the long, flowing dress is SPECIFICALLY designed for short people. If the entire line is for petite women, with NOTHING that'll fit proportionate people over 5'7, then the dress would look great on someone who is average height.

 

[zionforsell]

It doesn't lay in whether it is specially designed or not. Clothes look better on taller people. It's not something to argue. Tall people may not FIT into petit clothes, but if they have the same shirt, with their size, the shirt will look better on them. Don't get me wrong, I don't say that clothes on short ppl is ugly. And the point of this post is about petite and plus size models, not about design house.

Back to the point, brand house most likely won't fix the clothes for models. Some will have to walk out with bigger-sized shoes and stuff. So the more you fit in, the better.

 

[writergal28]

Zion, I don't want a 5'11 to wear any of my pants (should I become a designer) because it'll look weird on them. Do you really want someone to wear a pair of pants that are supposed to be full length, but look like long capris on someone? EWWWWW.

Anyway, clothes look good on tall people because we're trained that way. if models were never tall, but average height, then we'd think it'll look good on them too. Actresses look great, and many actresses are short. Please think outside of the box, something that the fashion industry MUST DO. I would never want any tall girls to model my clothes, should I become a designer.

 

[zionforsell]

Oh My God, Why are you obsessed with it? It's like you hate tall people for being tall. I'm not here to debate whether you think tall is acceptable or not. I tell you the truth I see. You need to see outside the box. I never said that short models look ugly. I said they can look stunning as well. But it's the truth that industry wants tall girls, can you deny that fact? I'm not telling what you should think. You need to think out of box and accept the fact that fashion industry is into tall creatures. You seem to hate tall models, then hire short models, devil may care. Why do you think models need to be tall in the first place??? Why do you think Eiffel Tower so famous??? WHy do you think Gods and Goddesses's statues all tall??? I repeat: I'm not here to hate or bash anything. I'm here to say the truth. I do think that short models need to be given chances. But the industry is not based on sentiments. It comes down to whether the model looks good or not. And the fact is: tall one looks better in cloths. Height is important.

I'm not tall. I'm petite. But I don't hate people for being tall even though yes, I think society should care less about height.

 

[writergal28]

Yes, I do think the fashion industry needs to change, and I will try to help it change, whether the industry likes it or not. Like I said, tall people look good in clothes because we are lead to believe that tall people look good in clothes. Years ago, ideal bodies, both male and female were less athletic/built as they are now, for example.

In any case, if a clothing line is designed for a shorter market, then I see no reason to use a 5'11 model. I have seen stats on models in Vietnam, and many of these girls would never be able to work outside of Southeast Asia because they're considered average or slightly above average height anywhere else in the world. I think a 5'11 girl would look ridiculous wearing clothes that were fitted on someone 5'3. It's fine if the model is three inches taller than what the outfit is fit for, but not if they're more than half a foot taller. Say I design a pair of pants. The pants have a 30" inseam. They are meant to be NORMAL PANTS, not capris. Do you really want someone 5'11 to wear them? It changes the style.

 

[zionforsell]

THis is pointless. I tried to be nice but this has become ridiculous. If you claim to know so much about design and fashion, I will say this: you think designer designs for tall people??? No. They CHOOSE tall models but their design is for all people. And clothes look better on a tall person, that's all to it. You need to open your mind, not me. You are speaking about size. Let me say something: the style doesn't change, the size does. Obvious: a mini-skirt is a mini-skirt. But its size doesn't stay fixed, if it does, then how can everyone wear it? You can be 5 ft and wear a mini skirt. You can be 6 ft and still wear a mini-skirt and you won't look ridiculous, why? Because the size changes, for godsake.

Your example is a lost cause. The height average of Vietnamese woman is about 4'10. So those models -even though they are just average in American standard- are very tall in Vietnames, or Asia's standard of height. So in the end, the designers did choose tall models to model their clothes even in a shorter height market, see??? You obviously don't realize the difference between style and size. A tall or a short model doesn't change the style. I recommend understanding first.

Yes, society-and fashion industry especially- cares about height. So what? You can't hate people for being tall. Accept the fact and make the best out of your situation. This will be my final post regarding this subject. I'm tired of making the same point. Good day!

 

[glitter_dawn]

Maybe I should come up with a line that is for petite and average heighted women and then DEMAND that no model over 5'6 be in any of my shows.

That's kinda funny....but i would fully support u ACTUALLY do that.
as u could guess, i am petite. 5'1" to be exact.n i love me as i m....