dear fairy model mother: can a shorty be a model?

Hello lovelies.  It’s time for your weekly dose of sweet modeling advice from your Fairy Model Mother.  Today’s letter comes from Adriana who says that she is “constantly stopped by complete strangers” and asked if she models.  While she’s always wanted to be on the runway and do  print work, Adriana is quite petite.

So here’s the question:

Can a girl who’s only 5’4” be a model?

This is a complex query to answer.  Models come in all different shapes and sizes. You’ve got amazon – like bikini models, pretty-as-a- doll beauty models, curvy-and-they-own-it plus size models… the list goes on.   Even with all of these options, most people want to be high fashion models.  To be a runway diva, you should be at least 5’9” and preferably 5’10″ depending on which market you’re trying to work in. The height requirement for high fashion print models is 5’8″.  The reality is that there’s not always room for everyone in fashion.

Don’t get all flustered though.  In the history of models, there have been exceptions to that rule.  British beauty Kate Moss is probably only 5’6″ or 5’7” on a good day, but she’s had great success.  

Former ANTM winner turned actress Eva Marcille weighs in at 5’6 1/2″ and look at her body of work.  These women haven’t let their stature hold them back.

If you’ve got the look, but you have a petite frame, here are some options:

• Consider being a beauty model.  You’ll get work that focuses on your face and not your body, so there’s no height requirement.  You can do anything from hair campaigns to makeup spreads in magazines.
• Try working as a lifestyle model.  As long as your physique is proportionate, you can be short or tall.  You’ll get jobs posing in ads for soft drinks and other products, and you’ll still look fantastic.
• Become a commercial actor.  No real acting experience is required as long as you’ve got the look advertisers are going for.  You can go from being the pretty “girl next door”  in one commercial to the “chick in the cool new car” in another.  Another good thing about commercial is that the pay is much better than runway.

If people you don’t even know are always telling you that you should be a model, maybe you should take their advice.  I know we all dream of walking for New York Fashion Week, but sometimes getting a billboard in Times Square is a better deal.  So, who cares if you’re not 5’11”.

Shorty, you betta work!

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Tagged as: eva marcille, height, modeling