CLT wrote:

Heigh and weigh are very different. Most of us have no control over our height. Weight was an issue because people were being unhealthy while trying get thin. I don't think a similar issue exist for people being unhealthy while trying to get tall.

Also, I'm surprised that no one has brought up the "I want to be in the NBA" analogy.

LMAOOOOOOO OMGGGG!! !I was waiting for it too! Let's wait for the person with the last analogy drop it!

JenMon wrote:

I didn't understand that paragraph to well.

I am short. period. I wouldn't mind having more height because more opps come from height. Forget the fact that you have things to bring to the table and own a catwalk when coming down it.

You can have surgery to change your face. Brighten your skin like Michael Jackson, lose weight, gain weight ( if your body allows). Height is something that is just assed out zone when it comes to modeling because you can't grow anymore once you're done.

You can have that surgery but you know all of the things that come with that...It's "not" even worth it.

JenMon wrote:

I think I heard about that, how do they do that exactly?

You can read about it here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4242093/

GaramMasala1315 wrote:
So I've been having a lot of self esteem issues/confidence issuse simply because this industry demands people to be like 5'8 and above and weigh 125 lbs or less in order to truly be a successful fashion model.  I mean I know being toned is important, but why do professional models have to be so freakin' tall?  Not to say tall women are not absolutely stunning or that people who weigh 125 lbs aren't absolutely gorgeous, but I mean how many of your non-model friends have that build?  I think I'm a relatively attractive person and I'm 5'1 and super muscular.  By the industry standards because of my height and weight (I weigh around 150), I basically have no shot of doing any type of runway show or catalog.  Not only that, I feel as though not a lot of people of Indian origin get the chance to model in the United States (either because of the parental constraints or because of height/weight issues)...is there any chance I would even be able to make it in this industry simply because of height and weight issues?  Why would I be considered a "plus size model" when all I have is toned muscles, serious curves, and a short build?

Ok, lemme put it to you like this......say you are a clothing designer and you have your own multi-million dollar company, and all of your new test design pieces are size 4 (industry standard)...then some young woman comes along and says "why do all fashions models have to be tall or a size 4?" and you think for a minute.."hmmmm.. retool all my machinery and then make all couture clothing in 10 diff. sizes to fit all models who aren't size 4 or tall, or skinny...:::then you add up what the extra $$$ (lost profit) WILL cost your business to do so"

Now answer the question honestly, since it's YOUR business. answer: you will not alter your business model for one person who wonders why they cannot be a runway model @ 5'1" & 150lbs.

That is reality.

Strat

Pat Yuen wrote:
It's simple supply and demand. If a virus kills all women 5' 8" or taller, we will start seeing shorter models. Until then, there are no shortage of 5' 8" models so why start hiring 5' 1" models. Designers want the best of the best and a dress simply looks better draped on a 5' 8" frame than a 5' 1" frame.

Sure, if you were the designer, you would want to showcase your products to look their best, and that means long slender figures, period.

I say it all the time, fashion modeling is PURELY GENETIC. You have to have the look and the build, and that is something you simply cannot train for, or learn.

GaramMasala1315 wrote:
yeah i read the site...it makes a lot of sense and yeah, i guess designer clothing does look better on taller people.  as for the type of modeling, i am a suicide girl and so they want to diversify their models with different ethnicity/build so i'm happy with what i'm doing right now.  i don't know...it would be nice to see some indian/desi/brown models outside of bollywood...so i feel good about what i'm doing...perhaps it'll open the door for other indian girls to enter the industry?  haha probably a pipe dream right?

Uh Oh. Please be aware the $uicide girls is not something you want to be involved with. You can get paid far better for porn on your own. Please see www.suicidegirlx.com for more information and save yourself before its too late. Use the search box on here and look up "suicide girls" and "SG" for all the revolting inforation you need.

GaramMasala1315 wrote:
do they really sell your photos to porn sites?  i never knew about that...what the hell?

once they have your images you lose all copyright.
and yes they do sell them to pornsites.
im going to search for the other thread for you.

Photography by Martin wrote:
I want to be an astronaut, but I'm too old, the wrong size, and I have no astronaut training.. so there.

hehe : )

carlo Di Paolo wrote:

Sure, if you were the designer, you would want to showcase your products to look their best, and that means long slender figures, period.

I say it all the time, fashion modeling is PURELY GENETIC. You have to have the look and the build, and that is something you simply cannot train for, or learn.

GaramMasala1315 wrote:
So I've been having a lot of self esteem issues/confidence issuse simply because this industry demands people to be like 5'8 and above and weigh 125 lbs or less in order to truly be a successful fashion model.  I mean I know being toned is important, but why do professional models have to be so freakin' tall?  Not to say tall women are not absolutely stunning or that people who weigh 125 lbs aren't absolutely gorgeous, but I mean how many of your non-model friends have that build?  I think I'm a relatively attractive person and I'm 5'1 and super muscular.  By the industry standards because of my height and weight (I weigh around 150), I basically have no shot of doing any type of runway show or catalog.  Not only that, I feel as though not a lot of people of Indian origin get the chance to model in the United States (either because of the parental constraints or because of height/weight issues)...is there any chance I would even be able to make it in this industry simply because of height and weight issues?  Why would I be considered a "plus size model" when all I have is toned muscles, serious curves, and a short build?

1) Runway isn't the only type of modeling
2) You wouldn't be considered a plus model
3) This industry isn't about the average, we don't want to see the average "non-model" in her spankies. 
4) Find your niche and work the hell out of it or find another hobby.

--Sorry if someone got here before me.  I'll go read the rest now. 

GaramMasala1315 wrote:
If I have some kind of height deficiency, then hell I'll make up for it with AMAZING photos.  Just because I'm asking a question does not imply that I feel as though it's unfair.  I think many of the models that are tall and slender are gorgeous and are better suited for runway, etc. but in print I feel as though height should not be such a huge issue.  I personally cant point to someone's pictures and be like "well they must be 5'11" or "well they must be 5'3"...print seems to look just as beautiful if you're short or if you're tall.  maybe that's just me though =/

you read the most common responses regarding clothing.  what hasn't been mentioned and it goes to what you wrote regarding not being able to tell the difference in pictures...the limitation in model size in commercial print is equal to the limitation in clothing size in fashion; primarily for two reasons: 

first, most agencies don't carry both tall and short on their roster as projects cross over.  so, commercial print will naturally go to those being repped, which is taller models capable of multiple types of bookings. 

secondly, taller models photograph better with men in commercial print lifestyle image settings.  it looks awkward in a picture to have a 5'2 female and a 6' male paired in the scene.  the same applies to a group of women being shown, as those similar in stature make a more balanced image.

granted, you may be photogenic and your feeling might be you can create amazing pictures, but that wouldn't be the case when paired with other models.  there is only so much room on an agency roster and those spots are reserved for those that can be booked in multiple situations.  thus, the cold hard fact is there just isn't room for those vertically challenged.

--face reality

Jhen wrote:
Thats just some people's opinion that a dress looks better draped on a 5'8" frame than a 5'1" frame.Alot of people have just the opposite opinion.That's funny how poeple say things like it's written in stone.Things could possibly change over time,I bet many people thought slavery would never come to an end,Or women would be able to vote or smoke ciggarettes without hiding.lol.But look at society now.Alot is going on now that alot of the old generation never thought would be possible.So nothings written in stone.

The designer's make the clothes. It's not the fact of it just being "someone's" opinion. Until they change their minds, being at least 5'8 is going to be the industry standard. Whether you like it or not.

Jhen wrote:
Thats just some people's opinion that a dress looks better draped on a 5'8" frame than a 5'1" frame.Alot of people have just the opposite opinion.That's funny how poeple say things like it's written in stone.Things could possibly change over time,I bet many people thought slavery would never come to an end,Or women would be able to vote or smoke ciggarettes without hiding.lol.But look at society now.Alot is going on now that alot of the old generation never thought would be possible.So nothings written in stone.

Seriously?  You're comparing runway to slavery? 
And yes, a tall thin woman makes a better human hanger than a short solidly built one.

MelissaLynnette-LaDiva wrote:

Seriously?  You're comparing runway to slavery? 
And yes, a tall thin woman makes a better human hanger than a short solidly built one.

Jhen wrote:
Then if a great designer decides to make clothing and have shorter models on their runway,People will start running with that too.

designers do make clothing for all sizes.  what you are confusing here is designers have a very good understanding of presentation and clothing on taller models presents much better.

--face reality

Jhen wrote:
No,I'm comparing things to when people make the statement that things will never change.I'm just saying how would anyone know that there won't be a famous designer to emerge and make clothing for a shorter model to wear on the runway and say this is what looks good.There are shorter models that can buy the clothing.It's funny to me when people just know in their heart of hearts that things will stay exactly the same. I know people like to run with the pack,So if one person says tall models look better in clothing all the weak minded people will follow suit,Then if a great designer decides to make clothing and have shorter models on their runway,People will start running with that too.

Individual designers are welcome to do what they would like with their lines.  But I don't think it will happen anytime soon. 

I will never understand why short chicks are so dreamy eyed about runway anyway.  It doesn't pay all that well and it can suck completely.

Fashion

Women

Height requirements in fashion are driven by two factors:  sample size and preference.  Designers and fashion photographers prefer taller models.

Dresses for runway shows and editorial and advertising photography are cut to a “sample size” that reflects that preference.  Once the clothes are put together it’s a lot easier to hire a model to fit than to redo the clothes for a shorter model.

The requirements for being a major market fashion model are not absolute – they are just (very strong) preferences.  Everyone in the industry knows that Kate Moss and Laetitia Casta, among others, don’t fit the “standards,” and yet they have been very successful. 

So why shouldn’t you say to yourself “Hey, what about them?  I’m only 5’7” tall, but so are some other fashion models I could name.  That means I have a chance to make it, right?”   Yes, it does. But we have to distinguish between “possible” and “reasonably likely.”

Let’s look at some numbers.  A study done in 2002 showed that among top editorial fashion agencies in Los Angeles and New York, 81% of their “editorial fashion” models were 5’9” and above; 15% were between 5’8” and 5’9”, and only 4% were below 5’8” tall.

According to the US Center for Health Statistics, only about 3 ½% of all young women are within an inch of 5’10” in height.  The average weight for those women is about 145-150 pounds – some 30+ pounds more than the “normal” fashion model. If you add in factors like facial beauty, body proportions and all the other things that qualify a girl to apply as a “fashion model” the competition is a very small part of the population.

By comparison, almost 20% of all young women are within an inch of 5’6”.  So when you couple the strong desire of the fashion industry for tall women with the fact that a short girl has 5-6 times the number of competitors, the chances look very small indeed.

When a model below 5’8” tall is successful it is almost always because someone, typically a photographer, agent or editor, took a special interest in a girl and “made” her career.  It doesn’t happen through the normal route, but by having a special person with influence in the industry decide, for whatever reason, to push you to the front of the line. 

Things like that can’t be worked for, planned for, or reasonably hoped for.  They simply happen, very, very rarely. The “modeling schools” and the scammers seek out girls who want to believe they can be the exception. They assure girls that they can, but they never say what it really takes to be that exception – because it’s almost certain most victims don’t have it, and the schools and scammers aren’t going to give it to you.

We cannot in good conscience suggest that a girl who does not meet the “standards” for a fashion model spend a lot of time, effort and money pursuing that goal when the probabilities of success are so very low.  She is better off pursuing some other kind of modeling that uses different standards.  If the luck is going to strike, it can do so regardless of what else she is doing.

Here is more to read...

http://www.newmodels.com/height.html

MelissaLynnette-LaDiva wrote:
Here's a "real life" example:

On an episode of the Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, the girls were sent on go sees for La Perla I think.  Now, one of Janice's pets, Steena, was immediately liked by the casting girls, but she couldn't fit into a small, which was the size they had for the shoot.  Even though they adored her, they chose 2 other girls for the gig.  Why?  Because they weren't going to make an exception for this one girl for no good reason.  The other 2 were just as good AND they fit the pre set standards for the shoot.  This industry isn't about YOU, the model, it is about THEM, the client.  This is the truth right now.  Who cares what it'll be in 30 years?  We'll all be old and fat (hopefully) by then.

I saw the ep you're talking about. The client was Trashy Lingerie on La Cienega.

GaramMasala1315 wrote:
i still cant get over the suicide girls thing...does anyone know any agencies that take short people?  like by name?

You're in Virginia.  I doubt any exist near you, but I would say your best bet (if you have any skill, if not, don't bother) would be to try acting and get an agent.  But not in VA.  And this is only if you have any talent.  If not, acting is even more difficult to break into.
Even the commercial agencies have height requirements.

GaramMasala1315 wrote:
i still cant get over the suicide girls thing...does anyone know any agencies that take short people?  like by name?

talent agencies....assuming you have a talent


Modeling...ah...no

Here are your choices in my opinion:

- art model (may include nudity)
- glamour model (assuming that you can get your weight down)
- parts model
- stock model

you are basically un-bookable for a mdoel agency.  How can they make thier money if they can't book you for gigs?

You probably will find modeling success as a freelance.

GaramMasala1315 wrote:
i still cant get over the suicide girls thing...does anyone know any agencies that take short people?  like by name?

Why do you want to be a model?

What do you aim to get out of this?

GaramMasala1315 wrote:
i still cant get over the suicide girls thing...does anyone know any agencies that take short people?  like by name?

It's better to go in person with photos to as many as you can find, and specify print, some of them are strictly industry standards. I was kinda bummed yet somewhat encouraged the other day, i went to deco models in south beach and the founder was speaking with me and she was interested in signing me but wanted to wait till my braces are off. Even though, I hear you can get jobs no problem with braces, sometimes agencies want it too industry so they don't take a chance. So I'd also suggest seeing what freelance work you could get. And be safe.

MelissaLynnette-LaDiva wrote:

Individual designers are welcome to do what they would like with their lines.  But I don't think it will happen anytime soon. 

I will never understand why short chicks are so dreamy eyed about runway anyway.  It doesn't pay all that well and it can suck completely.