The shortest professional model is Wildine Aumoithe, standing at 72 cm (28.3 inches or about 2'4"), recognized by Guinness World Records for modeling in New York Fashion Week and advocating for disability inclusion in fashion. While many petite models work commercially, Aumoithe holds the record for the shortest professional model, breaking traditional industry standards for height.
The term petite model refers to a person between 5' and 5'6". Agencies and brands use petite models for all types of campaigns. From commercial, high-street fashion brands who's sizes are for the average-sized consumer to beauty products where height is often irrelevant.
Yes, it is possible to become a professional model if you are under 5'8”, but it may limit the types of modeling you can pursue. Traditional high-fashion and runway modeling often have strict height requirements, typically favoring models who are at least 5'8” or taller.
Wildine Aumoithe: The shortest model. Wildine Aumoithe continues to inspire the masses with her restless advocacy work. As the shortest professional model ever, she celebrates unique beauty and self-acceptance, showing that the lack of inclusivity in a specific industry does not define one's potential.
Petite models can succeed in the industry, with women typically required to be no taller than 5'7" and men between 5'4" and 5'9".
Petite clothing is specifically designed for women whose frames are 5'4” and under, and the clothing has been cut proportionally to fit and flatter the petite women's frame.
Runway models should be at least 5'8” as a female and 6'0” as a male. For editorial modeling, having the right look is more important than height or slender frame alone. For convention/promotional models, it's more about having an engaging personality and the ability to act as a product spokesperson.
Young actress-slash-model Lily-Rose Depp stands at a height of 5 feet 3 inches (1.6 m or 160 cm) tall. While this may be considered petite in the fashion and entertainment industry, it has not stopped Lily-Rose from becoming a sought-after model and actress.
Generally, the industry looks for female models who stand between 5'9″ and 6'0″, with the average model height hitting right in the middle at 5'9.5”.
Full transparency: runway does typically favor industry-standard height (5'10” & up). With that said, there are definitely outlets for petite models in runway as well. Whether you're a traditional or petite model, quality of walk and confidence always outperform height.
So if you're 5'4” (162.5cm) or shorter, the likelihood is that you are considered petite. If you're 5'4”, you can probably get away with wearing both petite and non-petite clothing, depending on your proportions (how short your legs and torso are, respectively), since you're on the cut-off.
Plus Size models can do a great job because more women can identify with them as they do with high fashion models. As a Plus Size Model you can therefore not only work for fashion customers, but also in advertising.
Girls aged 14-15 are expected to be between 5'7″ – 6'0″. Those aged between 16-22 need to be around 5'9″ – 6'0″. Height is favoured by the high fashion modelling world; the above are typical measurements expected of teens wishing to make it in this type of modelling.
Thankfully, there are more opportunities for models of all sizes, including models who are too short to qualify for the typical fashion model requirements. One of these niches is petite modeling.
In a world that often values height over talent, Marissa Rose, the trailblazing 4'11" model, stands as a powerful testament to breaking through stereotypes and redefining the norms of the modeling industry.
7 Sara Sampaio: 5'7”
At 5'8, it's up for debate whether Sara classifies as a petite model, but one thing is for sure: she's one of the shortest models to have ever walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Sara recently became the face of Calvin Klein, Balmain, Marchesa, Tommy Hilfiger and Tory Burch.
For both male and female models, sixteen is considered the ideal age. This being said, female models may find themselves more popular than their male counterparts at a younger age. This is because male models are considered to get better with age, and have more success well into their thirties and even forties.
Adriana Lima: five foot 10 inches.
Petite models make up some of the most influential faces of our time. Devon Aoki (5'3), Twiggy (5'4), Emily Ratajkowski (5'5) and Georgia May Jagger (5'6), just to name a few or many petite models. These women all have successful careers in different sections of modeling.
At just 5'7”, Kate Moss was considered short for a runway model when she was first discovered in the late '80s. In interviews and documentaries, she often joked about feeling small next to other models, but that difference would be what made her stand out, and ultimately redefine beauty standards in the decade ahead.
“I'm not ashamed”: Lily-Rose Depp's Candid Take On Her “Nepo Baby” Status Will Make Dad Johnny Depp Truly Proud - IMDb. In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz for the Happy Sad Confused podcast, actress Lily-Rose Depp confidently addressed how she handles negative talk about her “Nepo Baby” status.
Petite models are usually as short as 5'1 in special circumstances and more commonly up to 5'7. If you think about it, if 5'11 is a “normal height model”, then a normal height petite model may be 5'5 to 5'6. Even at that, petite modeling is limited.
Typical modelling body types
From a measurements' point of view, more than three-quarters of the women on this list are 5'9” or taller, have a 25” waist, 35” hips, and a 32” or smaller bust.
Ideal measurements can vary greatly from brand to brand; however, here are some general guidelines: