As soon as I heard that Olympic gymnast, Simone Biles was only 4’9″, an idea popped into my head. Simone as a model for petite lines of clothing. True petite models – that is, a model who is 5’4″ or shorter – are almost NEVER used. The petite section of ANY clothing brand, features the same model used for the regular line. In other words, the model is typically 5’9″ or 5’10”. Basically, NOT petite. And it could even be interpreted as false advertising. It’s just that no one ever complains. And when they do, the usual response is “using a second model would mean more money spent” or something to that extent.
Simone Biles on the balance beam during the women’s all-round competition in Rio 2016
We are always hearing about the need for size diversity. However, size diversity, at least according to media and to activists, is synonymous to “we need more plus sizes.” This is not a true definition of diversity. Diversity should include a variety of different sizes, including varying heights. And while Simone is much shorter than the average “petite” woman, it’s important for the fashion world, nay, the body image world, to fully acknowledge that we shorties exist. And the best way to do so is to use someone who is even shorter than the typical, say, 5′ even to 5’2″ petite. This is pretty much the equivalent of using a size 22 model for a plus size line rather than someone who is size 18. True petite women have been used to represent petite labels before. A few years ago, petite blogger, Jean W (around 5′) of Extra Petite was the star of a LOFT campaign. She was featured on store windows and on the website. However, she was not the actual model for the pieces sold. She was there to let shoppers know that petite sizes were better suited for shorter women – on the header of the petite section. Yes, that is much more attention grabbing, but is it the same as being the actual model for a piece of clothing? Not really, but at least it was something! So yes, I am encouraging clothing brands to feature Simone – and perhaps the entire gymnastics team (since they are all on the petite side) for a season some day. I’m not sure if they’re able to do so right now, with Nike being a sponsor, but perhaps when the contract and any blackout period ends?
Image Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com
