What is the reason for height requirements of models?

Question

Why do (female) models have to usually be at least 5'7... anyone know?

No I am not looking into modeling as a career was just wondering the reasoning behind it.

Answer 1

simply because designers dont have the time to make custom sizes for shorter models, sample sizes usually run for women or men around that height (or taller)...and designers prefer tall models (long legs...hello?)

Answer 2

Basically, most major runway shows feature tall, thin models because clothes are assumed to look better on tall, thin women. This isn't necessarily true in real life, but in the fashion world it's pretty much a given.

The clothes featured in runway shows are also different than the ones that people buy off the rack, they are specially made for the show and are often a lot more dramatic than the ones that go on sale in the stores. This means that there are only a few sample sizes that are made for the shows, and only models who are thin/tall enough to fit in the sample sizes can walk.

Answer 3

Because the designers want tall, wafer thin clothing racks to hang their clothes on. Clothes, they think look better when they fall over bodies with no shape to them. Designers also want to have the clothing fit every model that has to wear them, and with a fairly uniform size requirement, they don't have to alter anything for models, which means fashion shows, photo shoots...

I've worked in the Industry producing Fashion Shows and have modelled as a Petite Model.

There is very little work for Petite and Large Models, but there is more than in the past. There are clothes made for real women, but the top fashion designers, whose work you see in magazines and on world class models are design for the wealthy, not for you and I!

Blessings,
Yoga Rani

Answer 4

It only depends on the type of modeling you're interested in. You can still do commercial modeling when you're shorter, but if you're looking for runway or high end then you will almost HAVE to be taller. This is because they make their clothing for a certain height.

Answer 5

On the runway, the whole point is to bill clothes.

meanwhile there are modeling jobs where there's less flack on height requirements. check with an agency they're better able to handle any questions.

Answer 6

I am a model I work for FORD models and the hieght minimum is 5'8 because you need to portray a great body image as well as fit perfectly in the clothes my best friend and I both got a gig for Dolce and Gabbana and they canceled her out of the show because the pants went to the ground and they were fit for an 5'11 girl and shes 5'8 so the kicked her out the high end clothes are for perfect bodies and you need that hieght and weight to look perfect on the runway or else it will have consiquences!

Answer 7

Designers cut clothes at a certain length and size or runway shows, so it has to be that models should fit that standard.

Answer 8

So they are clearly visible on the runway from all angles and at a distance.

Answer 9

i think there should be short models too

Answer 10

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