Petite Model

For a long time, models were subject to yardstick measurements. They were not allowed to fall below a certain height or exceed a certain BMI . This rule applied to both men and women. However, fixed body and clothing sizes were increasingly criticised. Today, more and more modelling agencies are working with petite models, because petite is the new grand. Find out here what has caused the industry to rethink and how you can become a petite model yourself:

One for all - the pioneering role of petite model Kate Moss

The fact that petite models are so successful today did not happen overnight. Until recently, they were considered the exception and had to assert themselves accordingly. A look back at the heyday of top modelling proves this: at the end of the 1980s/beginning of the 1990s, true giants walked the catwalks of the fashion world. As a woman, models had to be at least 175 cm tall; as a man or dress man , they ideally had to touch the two-metre mark. Rather unrealistic when you consider that the European averages are 166 cm and 180 cm - even then taller than other continents. But then came Kate Moss - the woman who paved the way for shorter models. At 1.70 metres tall and with an almost androgynous physique, she defied all the demands of designers - and never pursued the goal of becoming a petite model. The fact that the not-so-small British model made it at all is thanks to a giant of the industry. The modelling agency of the US clothing company Calvin Klein Inc. signed Moss and staged her as the face of the brand. The rest is history - because the model's striking facial features were highly recognisable and helped her to a meteoric rise. Although she looked really petite next to the catwalk stars of the time, she made up for this with her charisma. Above all, however, she enjoyed the sympathy of average women, who were better able to recognise themselves in Moss' presentations than in those of fashion models.

Petite models have the greatest opportunities in these areas

The acceptance of Kate Moss also paved the way for others to enter the industry and led to the founding of the first petite model agencies. The agencies specialising in petite models launched their protégés so successfully that there were soon more model agencies for petite models. However, most of them were denied a career like Kate Moss'. Although there are now many models below the former minimum standard, they are rarely seen on the catwalks of major designers. They work much more frequently in the commercial sector, such as catalogue or glamour shoots. Here, petite models present lingerie or swimwear, but are also often used for interior advertising. Because smaller women or men also have smaller hands and feet, they are often considered as foot or hand models . Another major area of application for petite models is the modelling of high-street goods, i.e. clothing that is intended to be worn by everyone or every woman. A (below) average body or clothing size is most convincing here, as it reflects the values of ‘normal citizens’. Petite model agencies are therefore looking for women between 1.55 m and 1.70 m or men between 1.62 m and 1.75 m.

Tips for your career as a petite model

Not all petites are so limited. With an eye-catching hair colour or hairstyle or by posing in an unusual way, you can significantly increase your chances as a petite model because you create a unique selling point for yourself. However, make sure that visual changes preserve your personality and always remain yourself. After all, it is the charisma that makes petite models so interesting and makes them stand out from the crowd of similar applicants. Registering with a well-known modelling agency such as starboxx increases the likelihood that you will be discovered as a model despite or precisely because of your small body size.