Paige Morgan wrote:
Because it's very long to type over:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/education/m … -an-agency

Also:

www.newmodels.com

+1

Thanks for that, Paige   I couldn't remember the second link off-hand

~Danny
http://dbiphotography.co.cc
http://www.modelinsider.com/8040

Fifi wrote:
As a sewer myself, clothes (especially a lot of couture) look better on taller people. They have longer lines and clothes just drape better. After all, fashion models are essentially clothes hangers. That's also why they want models with as little curves as possible. They don't want anything to take your eye away from the clothing/presentation. Also, at a fashion show, a 5'2 model would barely be visible to people in the back row.

It may seem absurd as to why they do it, but there is a method to their madness.

+1

DBIphotography Toronto wrote:

+1

Thanks for that, Paige   I couldn't remember the second link off-hand

~Danny
http://dbiphotography.co.cc
http://www.modelinsider.com/8040

LOL ;D No problem.

Room157 wrote:
I didn’t read all that…

Height matters because designers cut their samples to fit a certain type model. They don’t waste time cutting samples to fit models of all height and weight etc.

Agencies hire models with a specific height and build to fit those samples.

+1 to all of that

Good Egg Productions wrote:
Because that's the way it is.

Let's assume I have an amazing 3-point jumpshot.  I put it in 98% of the time.  The NBA is not interested in me because I'm 5'9". 

Being successful in modeling is half about knowing where you fit in.  The standards aren't going to change for you, or anyone else.  But there's a place for you.  And if you're completely amazing in one area of modeling, it's not unheard of to venture into other areas.

There are lots of short "models" in magazines.  Most of them are actors.  Or really famous people.  Because the goal of an advertisement is to sell product.  Natalie Portman is 5'3", but she could model because she's Natalie Portman.  If you're 5'3" and NOT Natalie Portman, you probably can't.

uhh...Spud Webb?

Steve Korn wrote:
uhh...Spud Webb?

Uh... Kate Moss.


There will always be extreme outlayers in any group of data of a certain size.  How many NBA players have there been in the last 60 years?

Christopher Hartman wrote:
tall ugly models need jobs.  If height didn't matter, all that would get hired are the much cuter short models.

Hahhahahhha!  But seriously, sometimes I will look at a fashion model and wonder if she got hit by the ugly stick.

Not usually, but an occasional one will be very distractingly unattractive. I don't limit this problem to models. I was watching PBS with my husband, and he asked, "What would happen if a walrus and a bear mated?"

It would make a very furry economist without tusks.

The guy across from him looked like Dr. Evil with some whacko mustache and beard thing going on. I couldn't get past their facial hair to listen to their whatever the hell it was they were talking about.

I think the short answer is that fashion designers don't have time to make samples of different sizes. Why they choose very thin, tall women over busty Playboy gals? Dunno. I do know, after having been a fitting model for busty women that it is way harder to get the fit right on a curvy figure than a more lithe figure.

Standardization makes the whole process easier.

Rays Fine Art wrote:
You're probably going to hate this, but even in the glamour and/or pinup or fine art worlds, the body proportions often just don't work for the pictures.

Short people tend to be wider in the hips, shoulders and chests than tall slim ones.  Their thighs tend to be heavier and they are more prone to cellulite, at least in my observation. 

Now before everybody starts to scream that it ain't necessarily so, please note that I said "tends".  While these things are often true, they are often not as well, but they are sufficiently common that the photographers often just don't want to go to the extra effort to shoot them and shoot them well.

I love short models because I only have a 7.5 foot ceiling height in my little basement studio, but getting my 74-year-old, arthritic body up and down from the floor 50 to 100 times in a shoot to give the model a little bit longer leg gets to be wearing after a while.

I do it because that's all the height I have to work with so we're pretty much in the same boat.  The only thing we can do is to learn all the little tricks we can to even out the playing field and be grateful for the people who do work with us while ignoring the ones that don't.

All IMHO, as always.

Shorter models are not wider in the hips, and shoulders.. my measurements are the same of a fashion model.. BUT you are correct that we photograph bigger in the hips and shoulders.

liindsay ann wrote:
Shorter models are not wider in the hips, and shoulders.. my measurements are the same of a fashion model.. BUT you are correct that we photograph bigger in the hips and shoulders.

ummm... yes.  That's the point.

33-24-34 looks WAY different on someone who's 5'11" than someone who's 5'1"

But who cares... I'd shoot you in a half heartbeat.  Just not fashion.

Samantha Schiumo wrote:
WOAH!!! thanks for all the feed back...& once again, I created this forum for discussion! Not for a heated debate haha..

I agree with most of you to a certain extent..yes, shorter models are curvier & have thicker thighs compared to tall models. I admitt my thighs are thick, they aren't twigs. Regarding cellulite, no matter what height or size you're, you can get it! Luckily for me I have none but I have a few friends who are extremly skinny & tall & they have cellulite & stretch marks. Its all genetics & can be caused by diet too...Now regarding fashion designers, I understand that certain clothes fit better or are more appealing on taller models but..clothes look just as good on short people haha I'm just saying there should be a fashion designer out there that should base their designs only for us "short people" because petite models can look just as good as tall models.. im pretty sure there are clothes that look better on short people than tall people..Same thing about boob sizes, some clothes look better on flat chested woman than large chested woman, & visa versa..

With all due respect, I just think this modeling world is becoming unreasonably strict without taking certain aspects into consideration.

God Bless.

The modeling world has always had this standards... I don't know where you're getting that they are just now becoming strict.

And, you're right, some clothes look better on curvier models... they're called lingerie/swimsuit models. But, they are still agency standard height (Victoria's Secret/Sports Illustrated).

Their are niches for shorter models already... glamour, art, fetish, porn. You aren't left out of modeling, you just don't qualify for certain genres.


And, I absolutely disagree with you... if I was a designer, I would not use short models. Period. Yes, short people look good in clothes, but it's not about how they look. It's about showcasing my clothes in the best possible way, and no matter how much you pout or stomp your feet, taller people have better and longer lines.

Damianne wrote:
Proportions.

Also, there aren't petite modeling agencies.

Yes there are, they dont advertise it, they dont let it be known so much, but there are agencies with a petite divison, this is due to many designers bringing out "petite" lines due to the annoyance for these petite customers not been able to buy sample sizes

Little Miss Meerkat  wrote:

Yes there are, they dont advertise it, they dont let it be known so much, but there are agencies with a petite divison, this is due to many designers bringing out "petite" lines due to the annoyance for these petite customers not been able to buy sample sizes

Care to share such agencies?

Little Miss Meerkat  wrote:

Yes there are, they dont advertise it, they dont let it be known so much, but there are agencies with a petite divison, this is due to many designers bringing out "petite" lines due to the annoyance for these petite customers not been able to buy sample sizes

Little Miss Meerkat  wrote:
To answer your question though it is due to sample sizing - Iv been given the tip a few times though that if you can make yourself look as proportioned as a taller model in the legs ect SOMETIMES they make a very small exception - Besides you can always freelance and try and get work from companies and labels via networking - Thats how I do it here in Australia and I sit on around 3 paid jobs per week whilst working full time in law

also check out www.BellaPetite.com

Bella Petite is full of bitterness and bad advice.

Paige Morgan wrote:

Bella Petite is full of bitterness and bad advice.

Sooo much of this. I wouldn't recommend that site to anyone. And, you will often notice that the "petite models" they feature are more often than not already celebrities (actresses, singers, etc.).

Fifi wrote:
Care to share such agencies?

Elite takes on shorter models, not in all of their branches but they do sometimes make an exception for a stunning look and a very strong port to match (they also warn you prior that you will not fit as many assignments though)
I was also emailing Kelly Kreye from AGENCY model management just yesterday asking about the petite divison agencies and her exact reply was

"Contrary to most peoples belief there is numerous agencies which have a petite division, my advice to you if you were looking to move to NY and your organized test shoot with Elite doesn't come through as you'd like is to apply to them all regardless, the worst they can do is say no, but our agency has also had jobs come through requiring smaller models for designers petite lines - its not impossible, just don't expect as much work as an agency standard model"

Im not here to argue - this is her thread, im just trying to help another model and if you choose to believe that there is nowhere that takes on shorter models, so be it

Nedah Oyin wrote:
oh, boy.. smh..

+1

Fifi wrote:

Sooo much of this. I wouldn't recommend that site to anyone. And, you will often notice that the "petite models" they feature are more often than not already celebrities (actresses, singers, etc.).

Oh really? I only stumbled accross it yesterday, thats a shame

Little Miss Meerkat  wrote:

Elite takes on shorter models, not in all of their branches but they do sometimes make an exception for a stunning look and a very strong port to match (they also warn you prior that you will not fit as many assignments though)
I was also emailing Kelly Kreye from AGENCY model management just yesterday asking about the petite divison agencies and her exact reply was

" Contrary to most peoples belief there is numerous agencies which have a petite divison, my advice to you if you were looking to move to NY and your organised test shoot with Elite doesnt come through as youd like is to apply to them all regardless, the worst they can do is say no, but our agency has also had jobs come through requiring smaller models for designers petite lines - its not impossible, just dont expect as much work as an agency standard model"

Sweetheart... Petite doesn't mean what you think it does. You being 5'7 have a chance of being signed as a commercial model... someone who is 5'2 does not.

Read and be educated:
http://www.newmodels.com/height.html