I am passionate about modelling. I love and hate it in equal measure. I love it for the creative and visionary people I meet who influence me, but I also hate it for its often fickle nature. I am grateful, however, that the public perception about models are slowly changing the industry itself, and the narrative is no longer solely about Amazonian super models with endless limbs and killer cheekbones.
[Photo - Blogger's Own]
The main driving force and powerhouse that is the internet has thankfully led to different sized models from countless ethnicities featuring in major campaigns as we all "celebrate" our differences and recognize that not everyone is a size zero... or at least that is how it appears.
TAKE ANOTHER VERY GOOD LOOK, however, at the signings on major modelling agencies' sites - HEIGHT prejudice is still alive and well. Most agency application web pages actually state you need only apply if you are over 5'8"!! Given that most women are not a size zero, most are also not 5'8" and over either! It seems that it no longer matters if you are a size zero or a size 20, just DON'T DARE even think about applying if you are under 5'8"! Being smaller than 5'8" has more of a stigma attached to it amongst the modelling agencies than being a larger clothing size. I watch the reality model shows occasionally as they search for a new "top" model, and it grinds my gears when they actually say to the girl who is normally about 5'6", (they always include a smaller one), "you are obviously smaller that the other girls so you have to work harder" - believe me I am sure she already knows!
I am 5'7", too tall to be regarded as petite, still taller than the average UK woman, but ripe for heightist prejudice at the hands of the modelling agency booker. On many occasions I have sat whilst bookers flick through my portfolio telling my how much they love my book and my work and that they were looking forward to working together... until they get to my height measurements... then they would snap my book shut and send me on my way.
[Photo- Blogger's Own]
I am lucky to have enjoyed quite a degree of success as a model over the last four years working for major brands such as L'Oreal, Boohoo, Missguided etc and was thrilled to land the European clothing campaign for the NFL Super Bowl earlier this year, but I have had to put up a good fight. When I am often asked what I do for a living though, and I say I am a model, I do still sometimes see that flicker across the inquisitor's face as they compute as to whether I fit into their archaic perceived notion of what criteria a model should meet. After further interrogation as to which brands I have worked for might they recognize, I then see acceptance in their face that I am allowed the job title as "model" - no one ever asks a policeman how many arrests he has made to justify his job title!
Attitudes are changing, however, albeit slowly, E-com, Instagram and celebrity offspring are seeing to that. Through speaking out and posting on social media, "smaller" agency models like myself and Instagram models along with celebrity kids (often under 5'8") are landing campaigns for major brands. At the risk of using a cliché, diversity and variety should be the norm, celebrating all body types, curve, petite, all heights, all ethnicities.
My message to agencies is STOP PUTTING PREJUDICED HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ON YOUR APPLICATIONS . My message to aspiring models is not to be put off by the restrictions on the model agency application forms. Our self-perception determines the choices we make in life so do not let a form stop you from following a dream. For years I wished I was taller but then I realized that if I waited for everyone's permission my dreams would pass me by very quickly. I chanced it, pushed for it and worked really hard for it, for sure, but opportunities did and still do present themselves. Just because you do not meet the criteria does not mean the criteria cannot be changed. Numbers on tape measures should not be important anymore.
[Photo - Blogger's Own]