Petite Models

[BetteT]

Agencies rarely get calls for petite models ... so it's not worth it to them to rep them. That is why you won't find petite models (who are usually 5'6" anyway ... not really petite, just shorter than the average model but taller than a petite woman ... just like regular models are taller than the average woman) at fashion agencies.

Commercial agencies are slightly more likely to have a couple 5'6" girls ... but even they like them taller than that since most commercial gigs cal for girls at least 5'7". Again, they rep what the majority of their clients want ... and there just is not much call for shorter models. It always comes back to who is paying ... and what they want.


Mainstream Fashion Weeks will take any designer that can afford to pay for the venue ... it's all about having the money to do it... it's not an acceptance sort of thing.

 

[writergal28]

Agencies rarely get calls for petite models ... so it's not worth it to them to rep them. That is why you won't find petite models (who are usually 5'6" anyway ... not really petite, just shorter than the average model but taller than a petite woman ... just like regular models are taller than the average woman) at fashion agencies.

Commercial agencies are slightly more likely to have a couple 5'6" girls ... but even they like them taller than that since most commercial gigs cal for girls at least 5'7". Again, they rep what the majority of their clients want ... and there just is not much call for shorter models. It always comes back to who is paying ... and what they want.


Mainstream Fashion Weeks will take any designer that can afford to pay for the venue ... it's all about having the money to do it... it's not an acceptance sort of thing.

Right, but where would a designer *FIND* models under 5'6" if he/she required them for the show? Hypothetical question here. You really don't want to use 6' girls when the clothes are cut to fit 5'3". You can go up a couple of inches for runway, because it looks better, but you can't go 9"-10". It would look weird.

I have heard that some mainstream fashion weeks are very picky on the types of models designers use. In a private event, one can get away with volunteer models (still will require rehearsals, of course), but you can't seriously get away with that in something bigger, can you? How are niche market designers even supposed to get ahead?

 

[BetteT]

"Samples" are often cut for models bodies ... not for their customers' more ample and shorter frames. Samples are often not exactly what will be produced ... but intended to be worn by models. That is how they do it, I would guess.

If it was a small time designer who could not afford special sized samples, they could look for "promotional models" . They are the girls that spray perfume on you, attend parties as eye candy alll decked out in fancy atire and the girls who hand things out at conventions and bars. They are not fashion models by any means. They are usually too buxom and too short, but are usually very attractive. That would be a viable alternative. Commercial agencies and talent agencies (often these are really aspiring actors) would be a good start to find promotional models.

Pouring money into marketing and public relations is how niche market desingers can hope to get ahead. Advertising, guerilla marketing, special events ... and hey, they can have their own model searches and pay good money for the best short models they can find. Then they can turn the model search into an event to promote their line, too. And hire good PR people too ... to get their stuff seen in the right place. There are a lot of celebs that can wear petite clothing ... but the connections and cache have to be there.

 

[writergal28]

"Samples" are often cut for models bodies ... not for their customers' more ample and shorter frames. Samples are often not exactly what will be produced ... but intended to be worn by models. That is how they do it, I would guess.

If it was a small time designer who could not afford special sized samples, they could look for "promotional models" . They are the girls that spray perfume on you, attend parties as eye candy alll decked out in fancy atire and the girls who hand things out at conventions and bars. They are not fashion models by any means. They are usually too buxom and too short, but are usually very attractive. That would be a viable alternative. Commercial agencies and talent agencies (often these are really aspiring actors) would be a good start to find promotional models.

Pouring money into marketing and public relations is how niche market desingers can hope to get ahead. Advertising, guerilla marketing, special events ... and hey, they can have their own model searches and pay good money for the best short models they can find. Then they can turn the model search into an event to promote their line, too. And hire good PR people too ... to get their stuff seen in the right place. There are a lot of celebs that can wear petite clothing ... but the connections and cache have to be there.

I guess using promotional models can be a choice, but you do have to realize that a petite designer's sample will be a petite size, if that's what her line is for. You can't call your line ABC Petites (with no ABC "regular" line) and use only models 5'10+, even for your shows. It would be completely against the designer's philosophy (usually, petite and other niche market designers create their line(s) because they feel there is a need). No petite designer would do that. Doing so would be selling out. Just a thought.

 

[BetteT]

Didn't I just say that they often make samples in off sizes to accomodate the models they get? At least that is what I thought I said .... that is what I meant.

All designers will "sell out" or they don't stay in business very long. Fashion is not a philosophy ... it's a commercial enterprise intended to make money. Just a thought.

 

[starsnosigns]

yes, try starnow.ca I saw some stuff there. I was talking to a catalogue agency recently and they said they have no height restriction for catalogues. unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the agency, but look at their things there. I swear I saw stuff there. thanks.

 

[BetteT]

I appreciate what you say and it's partially true.

Having worked on many catalog gigs as a stylist, I found that even when casting for catalogs, they usually want taller than the average person (5'7" at the minimum, but about 5'9" is better) No, they don't have to look like fashion models with the long and gaunt editorial look ... but more like the girl next door ... pretty and likable. People who hire for catalogs, retailers and designers usually think their clothes look better on a taller person ... so that is what they ask for. So, that is why most agencies won't represent short models ... they just don't get calls for them, and they can't make much money from them.




Please be very, very careful about links like starnow.ca . Be aware that this is not a modeling or talent agency. Anyone considering them, needs to know what they are getting before they commit to spending money here.


This is just a listing service, where anyone can buy a slot and put their picture up (looking at their site, I see that almost 200,000 people have profiles) and where paid advertisers can post casting notices. They make their money from both sides ... for the privilege of using this service.

Be careful! Some of these castings may be scams and or ruses to draw young, impressionable wannabe models and actors and could be dangerous. Starnow does not control what is posted, nor do they really verify that it is legitimate. Here is part of what they say about the castings:

We have safety policies in place to spot listings that aren’t genuine. However, we always recommend that you research the company or person you are auditioning for so that you completely understand what the project is and what is expected.

http://www.starnow.ca/help/12-Help


Here is the difference: An agency does not charge you to put up your photos. A real modeling or talent agency will work with you, developing you and your look, teaching you about the biz and sending you on casting calls that need someone with your "type". In other words, an agency will help you find work and will only take a commission from you, after you get paid.

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