How realistic is it to be a fashion model at 5'7?

I wasn't sure where to post this but this looks like a good place.

A message to aspiring models, working models and top models.
"We don’t have to sacrifice and work hard to build out business, we get to create something of our own and take full responsibility for it.
I understand more and more that we get to experience a unique life in many ways. People love to hear our stories of being out and about, our stories of discovery, our journeys of success with our models, and the sometimes “Rags to Riches” or “Cinderella” stories.

What they are always most surprised by, are the equal, if not greater number of potential success stories we have found, who never achieve, or sometimes never even attempt the opportunity staring them in the face. This will always be something that as long as I live, I will never fully comprehend.

Through the years the range of reasons why they don’t seize the rare chance to enter into this incredible world includes boyfriends being uncomfortable with it, parents not understanding it,
the “uncertainty” of it (as if corporate America offers any security in todays world)
As God as my witness I have heard the following things from people:
“I would rather know I have $200 on Friday, then have to wait and get $20,000 in six weeks”
“I was homeless for three years” as opposed to “I have been an international traveler for the past three years”
Not “I have to travel the world”, but “I get to travel the world”
Not “I have to eat healthy & work out”, but “I get to take great care of myself as part of my job. I am compensated very well to stay in great shape”

How many of you would LOVE to travel and also get financially rewarded for taking great care of yourself?!?! It’s absurd that I have heard models complain about it…

Some would prefer the security of a minimum wage job as compared to something they don’t know exactly how much money they will potentially be making. Where is your entrepreneurial spirit? Your sense of adventure?


When I hear former top models complain and criticize the industry that gave them millions and provided a platform for them, I literally want to throw up in my mouth.

I can’t help but make the analogy that you don’t hear male counterparts in professional athletics complaining that part of the job is staying in great shape or knowing that they will be moving from city to city. The financial reward is so significant and the other opportunities that are often attached to it are so rare, it would seem almost offensive to complain, especially given the state of so many families personal financial situations….and yet, I hear complaining.

The next time i hear a model complain about such things, I think my head will blast off...
If we discover a guy and tell him what he needs to do to prepare for the opportunity, 9 times out of 10 he goes and does it and comes back 4-6 weeks later, ready to roll.
If we discover a girl, it may take months, it may take years, it may never happen. And we will get a lengthy story and a myriad of excuses of why not.
To top it all off, female models make 10 times the amount of a male model for the most part…
The opportunity is so AMAZING. I used to tell young aspiring models they get the chance to experience things that the vast majority of girls never will. About a decade ago, I changed that statement to “You get to experience things that the majority of PEOPLE never will” Celebrate it! See it in the right way.
It’s not “I have to go to get on another plane” but “I get to”
We have seen models rise to the top. We have had many of ours included.
Not “I hate paying commission”, how about “I love there is a system set in place that rewards and honors those who helped me get here”
Not “Why aren’t things happening fast enough for me?”, instead “I’m trusting everything I am supposed to achieve will happen in the proper time”

Ladies, empower yourselves with the proper words. While you are at it, how about showing the world what real beauty is.
Beauty shows gratitude, humility, appreciation, and thoughtfulness.
False beauty walks around with a sense of entitlement, it lacks grace and ego takes over. It’s far from beautiful.
Yes, you have to EARN it. It isn’t GIVEN to.
Yes, we GIVE you the opportunity, but then you have to WORK for it.
That is a GREAT thing.
Never forget that."


http://www.mothermodelmanagement.co...spiring-models-working-models-and-top-models/
 
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If we discover a guy and tell him what he needs to do to prepare for the opportunity, 9 times out of 10 he goes and does it and comes back 4-6 weeks later, ready to roll.
If we discover a girl, it may take months, it may take years, it may never happen. And we will get a lengthy story and a myriad of excuses of why not.

OMG truest thing I read all year

I can make it even truer with generalizations about those girls nationality but no time for it tonight. :run:
 
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I wasn't sure where to post this but this looks like a good place.

A message to aspiring models, working models and top models.
"We don’t have to sacrifice and work hard to build out business, we get to create something of our own and take full responsibility for it.
I understand more and more that we get to experience a unique life in many ways. People love to hear our stories of being out and about, our stories of discovery, our journeys of success with our models, and the sometimes “Rags to Riches” or “Cinderella” stories.

What they are always most surprised by, are the equal, if not greater number of potential success stories we have found, who never achieve, or sometimes never even attempt the opportunity staring them in the face. This will always be something that as long as I live, I will never fully comprehend.

Through the years the range of reasons why they don’t seize the rare chance to enter into this incredible world includes boyfriends being uncomfortable with it, parents not understanding it,
the “uncertainty” of it (as if corporate America offers any security in todays world)
As God as my witness I have heard the following things from people:
“I would rather know I have $200 on Friday, then have to wait and get $20,000 in six weeks”
“I was homeless for three years” as opposed to “I have been an international traveler for the past three years”
Not “I have to travel the world”, but “I get to travel the world”
Not “I have to eat healthy & work out”, but “I get to take great care of myself as part of my job. I am compensated very well to stay in great shape”

How many of you would LOVE to travel and also get financially rewarded for taking great care of yourself?!?! It’s absurd that I have heard models complain about it…

Some would prefer the security of a minimum wage job as compared to something they don’t know exactly how much money they will potentially be making. Where is your entrepreneurial spirit? Your sense of adventure?


When I hear former top models complain and criticize the industry that gave them millions and provided a platform for them, I literally want to throw up in my mouth.

I can’t help but make the analogy that you don’t hear male counterparts in professional athletics complaining that part of the job is staying in great shape or knowing that they will be moving from city to city. The financial reward is so significant and the other opportunities that are often attached to it are so rare, it would seem almost offensive to complain, especially given the state of so many families personal financial situations….and yet, I hear complaining.

The next time i hear a model complain about such things, I think my head will blast off...
If we discover a guy and tell him what he needs to do to prepare for the opportunity, 9 times out of 10 he goes and does it and comes back 4-6 weeks later, ready to roll.
If we discover a girl, it may take months, it may take years, it may never happen. And we will get a lengthy story and a myriad of excuses of why not.
To top it all off, female models make 10 times the amount of a male model for the most part…
The opportunity is so AMAZING. I used to tell young aspiring models they get the chance to experience things that the vast majority of girls never will. About a decade ago, I changed that statement to “You get to experience things that the majority of PEOPLE never will” Celebrate it! See it in the right way.
It’s not “I have to go to get on another plane” but “I get to”
We have seen models rise to the top. We have had many of ours included.
Not “I hate paying commission”, how about “I love there is a system set in place that rewards and honors those who helped me get here”
Not “Why aren’t things happening fast enough for me?”, instead “I’m trusting everything I am supposed to achieve will happen in the proper time”

Ladies, empower yourselves with the proper words. While you are at it, how about showing the world what real beauty is.
Beauty shows gratitude, humility, appreciation, and thoughtfulness.
False beauty walks around with a sense of entitlement, it lacks grace and ego takes over. It’s far from beautiful.
Yes, you have to EARN it. It isn’t GIVEN to.
Yes, we GIVE you the opportunity, but then you have to WORK for it.
That is a GREAT thing.
Never forget that."


http://www.mothermodelmanagement.co...spiring-models-working-models-and-top-models/

LOVE this, and I think the difference in attitude can be applied to life in general. I've been working on trying to consciously remind myself to be grateful for everything (hell, even the fact I have a computer and electricity and could even read this from another part of the world is pretty amazing!) and see challenges as opportunities. It's amazing how something as simple as taking a step back and evaluating a situation differently can really change your outlook and mindset.
 
I think we're asking the wrong question.
Is not how tall you are but how much money your parents have.
 
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Having read the whole thread, I also saw some rational comments on going into a different career which doesn't discriminate based on height. Personally, I am very intrigued by the fashion industry and modelling seems so appealing to me but nevertheless I am very privileged because I receive top education and thus have a chance to break through academically. I aspire to be a lawyer and graduate from Cambridge but although that is so different from a path in the fashion industry I still feel like this community can be hugely beneficial to me. To make it to the top of any career you need very similar traits: a strong drive to succeed; an incredibly persistent work-ethic and luck. Some careers rely more on mental ability whilst some rely on physical ability; my point is, whatever you decide to do just remember that you need stamina. :nod:
 
I don't feel like opening a new thread so I might bump this one. I recently sended a few pics of mine (taken with an iphone) to a Milan agency. Now, I'm only 5'4 and I'm not even interested in modelling, I would like to get into acting and I was thinking that maybe, doing some commercial stuff to get my face out there and getting some experience with the camera might be a good idea, since I've only had experience in theatre. Anyway, they emailed me back yesterday morning after two weeks asking to come into their agency in Milan to meet...but I have so many doubts right now? The agency seems pretty legit, it's listed on the models.com site but all of their models are listed at pretty standards normal height, with the shorter one being 5'7. Could any of you girls PM me so I can send you the name of the agency?
Ed: I forgot to say that I didn't have to put my age into the submission thing, and since I look like 14, maybe they think I'm still very young and with growing up potential?
 
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I don't feel like opening a new thread so I might bump this one. I recently sended a few pics of mine (taken with an iphone) to a Milan agency. Now, I'm only 5'4 and I'm not even interested in modelling, I would like to get into acting and I was thinking that maybe, doing some commercial stuff to get my face out there and getting some experience with the camera might be a good idea, since I've only had experience in theatre. Anyway, they emailed me back yesterday morning after two weeks asking to come into their agency in Milan to meet...but I have so many doubts right now? The agency seems pretty legit, it's listed on the models.com site but all of their models are listed at pretty standards normal height, with the shorter one being 5'7. Could any of you girls PM me so I can send you the name of the agency?
Ed: I forgot to say that I didn't have to put my age into the submission thing, and since I look like 14, maybe they think I'm still very young and with growing up potential?

Might be a good idea to tag some VIPs who will know the practices in the industry. @FashionThin has often given helpful advice.
 
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I heard of a girl who was discovered on Instagram, and despite being 5'4", was booked for the Vêtements and Balenciaga shows (last season). She's also with Ford, I believe. I used to think it wasn't possible, but I think there are some weird exceptions for short models. I wouldn't bank on it, though.
 
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I remember that America's Next Top Model once did a season dedicated to short girls - all girls on that season were 5'7" and under:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America's_Next_Top_Model_(cycle_13)

Of course, the girl that won was one of the tallest.

I am actually surprised that Top Model ran a season dedicated to short girls but never did the same for plus size girls. The plus size girls have a better chance of having a modelling career than the short girls!
 
I remember that America's Next Top Model once did a season dedicated to short girls - all girls on that season were 5'7" and under:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America's_Next_Top_Model_(cycle_13)

Of course, the girl that won was one of the tallest.

I am actually surprised that Top Model ran a season dedicated to short girls but never did the same for plus size girls. The plus size girls have a better chance of having a modelling career than the short girls!

If ANTM did it, then we certainly don't want to.
 
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If ANTM did it, then we certainly don't want to.

Haha absolutely. I hope I didn't give the impression that I thought "because ANTM accepted short girls, then that means they have a chance at modelling" - that's definitely not the case LOL. I was just noting that I thought tall plus size models have a better chance of being successful than a thin short girl. It surprised me that ANTM would rather do a season dedicated to short girls rather than a season dedicated to plus size models, particularly as ANTM are so pro "big is beautiful" etc etc.
 
"how realistic is it to be a fashion model at 5'7"

It isn't. "How" is not the right question, it's "is it" and the answer is virtually always no
I don't want to be annoying bumping an old thread but I was just reading this and again, want to congratulate you on becoming a model. :bow: I think this comment just makes it even better.
 
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I don't want to be annoying bumping an old thread but I was just reading this and again, want to congratulate you on becoming a model. :bow: I think this comment just makes it even better.
wow just reading this old comment gives me chills--i hadn't even imagined i could model yet :')
 
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I'm late here but I work as a fashion producer, and I do castings regularly in Australia. There is plenty of work for commercial/ish models at that height in terms of doing lookbooks and catalogues. I think that height really comes a big factor in terms of runway work and working in New York but it's definitely possible to model at 5'7 and these girls do get booked by clients. Social media is also unfortunately becoming a very real factor for some brands. They're wanting to book models with bigger Instagram followings because it is just more exposure and free advertising if they're posting a bts photo/ video and tagging the client. It obviously takes discipline to work as a model and more power to you for making it happen. I am 5"7 and used to do a lot of beauty work and still occasionally do if requested but i only did like 3 runway shows in my career. Its better to find your strong point and milk it rather than trying to fit into another category. Hate to say it but you should work on your social media too. Agencies are posting it on the online casting cards.
 
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