Model Advice: The tall and the skinny

Shalom all :)
This is a repost from a older blog. The information is always very informative because many in the industry do not understand why the standards are the way that they are. For us "chosen few" who work in the fashion industry we exist in a world that very few understand so perhaps this blog will give explanation and not excuse, because sorry we don't have to apologize for the way we go about our art.

I do admit that I am not for young women jeopardizing their health to meet industry standards, you either have it or you don't, college is always accepting your money and applications.

Anyways on to the good stuff

Why the tall and skinny?

As a fashion photographer I get asked at least 3 times a day why does the fashion industry prefer the extra tall and the extra skinny.

Firstly I can give you my personal opinion. Runway is not about the model (contrary to popular belief) it is about the clothes thus why it is called a fashion show and not a model show. Unfortunately the day of the Supermodels has long been gone and we are not blessed with the Cindy Crawfords and Tyras parading down the runways giving us fashion nirvana. To me designers would sell more clothes if the consumer desired to look like the women who wore them. But now all the focus is supposed to be on the clothes, so designers want models without curves so they don't interfere with the way the clothes hang. men and women would both be very distracted if they saw huge full breast protruding out of the designs or every time a model turned at the end of the catwalk you got a glimpse of her rotund butt.

Think about it like this most professional catwalks are set up in the same basic format. Usually elevated slightly from the ground illuminated from the audience and venue so that your attention follows the DESIGNS (not the model). If the model was 5'5 or 5'6 they would not stand out nearly as much as a 5'10 model.
So dare to dream young height impaired model but the reality of you gracing Cavalli's walk is slim to ummm the size of a runway model...0 lol

Designers need long limbs to showcase the long flowing dresses and the couture designs that exaggerate the body. Runway is about showcasing. Usually high fashion and avant garde is very dramatic and big, if you have short little limbs and neck then you get lost and seem even shorter then you already are. if you ask me the industry is protecting you from utter embarrassment see how nice us fashion people are we look out for the "little people" :)

Now from a fashion photographer standpoint I see it like this. Yes there are beautiful women in all different heights but from experience tall models show my work to the best of it's ability. Why? Because their limbs are longer which make the poses look more interesting. taller models stand out from a scene more profoundly. their thinness and height demand attention from my camera. Once again I am fashion photographer so it is important that the clothes look really good on the model.

There are many forms of modeling that benefit the more curvy and shorter models. Glamour and Beauty are two fine examples. These are more catered to the particular models look. I don't include booty modeling (and we all know what that is) because that pretty much accepts anything under the sun that is willing to drop their clothes. in my personal opinion it is not art nor deems much respect as a true aspect of modeling...but like i said that is my opinion (i know sex sells).

in general, fashion models are often interesting and unusual looking but not necessarily "pretty", now that is a general opinion to me I think they are beautiful and inspire me to do what I do. exotic features that more then likely got a model picked on as a child usually turns out to be the main reason the fashion industry would go nuts over them. i love alien looking girl. give me a giraffe neck, turtle head, pug eyed girl anyday.

Well I hope this helps shine some light on the issue of height and size for a professional fashion model. But as with all things do the research yourself.

Fashion Model breakdown
5'9" to 5'11" with outer fringe being 5'8" to 6"
Thin - puts weight at 108 to 130lbs in proportional to height. This can range some but waist no larger the 25" and maximum hips 35 ½." Beginning models start modeling in the age range of 13-19 and if you have not made it by twenty it is over.