Answering a Reader Question #1,013

Anonymous Wrote:

Hi there with the modeling industry changing do you see models with a smaller height breaking into the industry. I have the body measurements of a runway model but I’m lacking in the height department because I’m 5’6. Do you think it’s possible I can have an editorial/runway career if i work hard enough?

Hey there, Anonymous!

As far as the potential for shorter models to break into editorial and runway, there's still quite a ways to go -- at least as far as it being mainstream enough to get yourself walking for a major designer/brand. 

There are more designers using models of various heights in their shows -- which is super promising -- but you'd really have to put yourself out there and network to find out when and where the castings for those opportunities are happening. 

Not living in or near a major market for fashion and editorial work will make things more challenging but if you are within city limits of where the action is, I would recommend doing an online search to find out when the different fashion weeks are happening and visiting the websites of those fashion weeks to find out when and where the castings are taking place.

Needless to say, using social media to also network with local designers and photographers are additional ways to gain exposure and experience. As you mentioned, it's definitely going to take a lot of hard work to break through but if you can manage to find opportunities at the local level, that's a solid way to get the ball rolling. Whether it will lead to mainstream runway and editorial work can never be guaranteed but that doesn't mean you can't explore the other categories of modeling out there.

At your current height you are ideal for commercial/print modeling so I would recommend seeking representation with agencies with print modeling divisions. This will get your foot in the door with developing your modeling skills while gaining professional experience. 

It wouldn't hurt to tell your agent about your desire to do runway and editorial work because you never know but even if they aren't in a position to market you for that type of modeling, you can still make those networking moves on your own independently. 

I have hope that one day shorter models will get the same work and recognition within the runway and editorial world as our taller counterparts but many more factors have to line up to ensure that becomes a reality -- namely, major designers dedicating themselves to creating fashions specifically for shorter models. 

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