Petite Model and Fashion History Insights

By Jillian Rabe: How we define beauty is a constantly evolving process. It takes a moment to look outside the box of our last sixty years in recent fashion history to see this. Along with the direct correlation that society’s idea of beauty connects to the newest movements in fashion.

Modeling originated in the art world.  We see transitions from a Greek muscular ideal, to the Renaissance where women were glorified for their full figures and round belly and hips, as it was a sign of wealth and comfort the skinny and tan meant she was poor and working in the fields.

FASHION EVOLUTION

In the 16th century the corset came in to fashion and small waists being sought after until 1860.  Then in the 1950’s the voluptuous 5′4″ Marilyn Monroe hit the scene. By the sixties fashion evolved to 5′6 Twiggy and bare bones.  The further evolution to the taller version of thin.  To current day and now we are seeing rebellion even to ultra thin and tall, to the point where mainstream shows have started turning away gaunt figures.  As a whole it is blatantly evident that the fashion industry creates ideals outside of the everyday, because visuals attract more attention when they are of something rare and less commonly seen.

If how we define beauty follows fashion, and it’s connected to our objection that petite women aren’t used in the mainstream, as well as petite high fashion being almost impossible to find. Now it is the time to send positive vibes out there to all the fashion designers who have just been itching to get petite lines out there. What we know is  fashion alters due to market response. Petite women have to demand it and show it off, this will cause an immediate surge and shift in the focus of who is needed on the runway and in the magazines.

PETITE WOMEN UP AND COMING

Petite women need to stand together in a mass combined movement with BellaPetite’s awesome efforts. You need to gear up and help as an organized group to  jump start this inevitable scenario.  It is only a matter of time before the petite market is mainstream and dominant you have the majority of the market place at 5′5″ and under. The retailer’s always respond to market demands…

“Curvy’s happened, stick thin’s happened, super tall’s happened, plus size’s happened…and petite, you better believe, is just around the corner.”

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE UP AND COMING?!?

Bella Petite Magazine Editor Notes: BY ANN LAUREN

The points made by Jillian are well stated.  She offered us interesting fashion history and great insights into the retail and fashion industry evolution. We know that no one beautiful face will effectuate that change.  It will take a comprehensive fashion movement comprised of millions of petite women.

FASHION MODEL HISTORY

There is some interesting fashion history on model evolution.  In fact, the first models were petite models starting in the 1920’s, because they were all the silent screen stars like: 5′0″ Mary Pickford, 4′10″ Veronica Lake, 5′3″ Gloria Swanson, 5′3″ Claudette Colbert and 4′11″ Rita Hayworth. The retailers of the era wanted their products and services represented by the screen goddesses. This is the reason we see current petite celebrities used as models.

Then along came the 1950’s British influence and they introduced the amazon models onto the scene.  They were representative of the hip thirty and forty-somethings, because they were the cool cats of that generation.  At that point, everything changed for petite women being the ideal image of beauty in fashion.  In this evolutionary process, petite models were thrown to the wayside.  The doors were slammed shut and will remain closed until we demand representation.  The full-figured amazon women have done this with BBW and V magazine. Petites can do the same with Bella Petite Magazine.

HOW TO IMPACT THE FASHION STANDARDS

Now we need to ask ourselves, do we want to continue supporting the current industry standards by being complacent, or do we want to put forth our efforts and be recognized in fashion and the beauty industries?  Do we want to continue seeing petite clothing advertised on amazon models?  Do we want to continue reading the same old fashion magazines that simply don’t care and won’t ever recognized the petite consumer market? Do we want to see opportunities happen for petite models to work in the business?

The only way clothing designers, retailers and investors will put money and influence behind the petite women’s image, is if you join an organization advocating for acceptance and proving the market strength. Petite women need to join in our efforts, become members and support Bella Petite Magazine to change the current industry height standards. We need you to subscribe to the only petite women’s movement.

SPECIAL OFFER TO BELLA PETITE MEMBERS ONLY Become a member you’ll be eligible to our open model calls for Bella Petite editorials, petite model cover girl search, tickets to  fashion shows and events! Free trial subscriptions to Bella Petite Magazine. And get 20%-50% off Fernanda Carneiro, Allison Izu and My Sweet Petites clothing when you become a Bella Petite Member!

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