Five Minutes with Becky Weatherley

Name: Becky Weatherley

Age: 20

Hometown: Dalgety Bay, Fife

Occupation: Model

Tell us a bit about yourself: Im fun, friendly, hard-working and passionate about things I care about or believe are right. I love dancing, gymnastics, art, music and motorbikes. I ride a motorbike and absolutely love it. Im 5ft4 and constantly told Im too small, but I dont believe that. Whos to say Im too small. 

What sparked your interest in modelling? EVERYTHING. Making/becoming a picture, the fashion, the people.  Having the opportunity to express feelings about issues surrounding modelling eg: height weight etc

Can you please give an account of your experience in the fashion industry and as a petite model? 

Ive been modelling for 5 years now, past 3 years taken very seriously. I hope to become a professional. I'm experienced in all styles, minus adult etc Im constantly rejected for being to short and it pushes my buttons. I dont take myself as an amazing model, but I am good and feel with direction and help I can become a professional, but no-one will give me the chance because some size 6 5ft 8 girl (apparantly) is the better choice. 

Did you face any challenges or setbacks? 

And if so could you please state what they were? Ive had a few bad experiences with both photographers and the public. Ive done a fair amount of art nude and glamour to get my foot in the door and of course I expected this but it wasnt any less un-nerving. Typical perv with a camera or a passing stranger. And less serious things such as being too small, not the right body shape, face shape, the lot. Didnt know there could be so much wrong with me, I look after myself, I keep myself fit and healthy, so whats the problem. 

How did you overcome these challenges/setbacks?

Picked myself up and kept going. 

Can you please give your opinion on the strict requirements that are present throughout the fashion industry (for example, height, weight and body shape)? 

Honestly, I think its bollocks. They can change it if they want and deep down they know its for the better. Only thing is they arent/wont/cant be succeptible to change. There shouldnt be requirements. Yeah ok, a 25 stone, spotty, bald lady might not be the best choice for a fashion line but there shouldnt be such a direct line of requirements. Im just under 9 stone, 5ft 5, slim built and healthy, why am I rejected so much?? I dont understand, there are beautiful people they are missing out on over a few silly rules. CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE

Why do you feel that it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle? 

Why shouldnt you want to stay healthy. Live your life, dont waste it away. Lifes too short to constantly question if your good enough for what you want to do with the rest of your life. The industry need to realise that, at somepoint things are going to have to change. Sooner rather than later. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Imperfection is beauty. Maryling Munroe is the most iconic beautiful woman in the history of the world, she was a size 16. We need a bit of perspective back in the world. 

Thank you Becky

Five minutes with Catherine Allard

NAME: Catherine Allard (Cat)

HOMETOWN: Aberdeen. 

OCCUPATION: Full time mum, starting Pt College.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

 I’m 25, been modelling since Jan 2011. Love doing my shoots, have a little boy who is six and he is my whole world, hoping to go to college to do physiology, love fashion, keeping fit and quality time with my son.

What sparked your interest in modelling?

As a teenager I had very low self esteem and always had keen interest in modelling but thought with my height there was no point however after I had my son I thought u only live once and signed up to an online modelling site and was surprised by the response. I love fashion too so that also made my interest in modelling even greater specially after doing my first few fashion shoots. I love both outdoor and studio shoots and different genres of modelling and meeting the togs and being able to put my ideas into a shoot. 

Can you please give an account of your experience in the fashion industry and as a petite model?

I have done numerous shoots now ranging from fashion, fine art, glamour, portrait etc. My height 5'2 stops me from applying for things like runway/catwalk and I feel it’s silly as smaller models can walk down runways just as well as taller models, just wish the modelling world was more balanced but I won’t let my height stop me from doing what i want and love to do. 

Did you face any challenges or setbacks? And if so could you please state what they were?

Yes one agency said the loved my look but I wasn’t tall enough, I think these height requirements are awful and in a way discrimination against petite models, the agencies have given plus size models a chance so why not petite models? Very frustrating!

How did you overcome these challenges/setbacks?

 I overcame them by believing what’s for you won’t go by you and at the time I was upset but then i got angry and that’s when I really began to feel strongly about how much the fashion world is sending out the wrong image to young girls and it needs to change.

Can you please give your opinion on the strict requirements that are present throughout the fashion industry (for example, height, weight and body shape)? 

:I think it is very unfair and unrealistic to show images of size zero 6ft tall models who most women cant relate too. Also in every magazine nowadays there are really skinny models and it’s not good for young girls to think this is beautiful and then they end up with eating disorders. The fashion/modelling world needs a big wakeup call its 2011.

Why do you feel that it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

I feel its very important to lead a healthy lifestyle as I truly believe a healthy body equals healthy mind, its about everything in moderation and not depriving yourself, eating healthily is very important but allowing yourself a treat now and then because if you don’t from my own experience you end up secretly binge eating which isn’t good so everything in moderation. Keeping fit by doing a sport or going to the gym, I love dancing and even just 45mins dancing round my living room, is a good workout. If you can maintain an active, healthy lifestyle it will make you feel better in mind and body and give u a confidence boost.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

simply I think the modelling/fashion world need to have a major think about the images they portray as beautiful and how that affects young girls, how long can this size zero go on? curves r so much nicer and healthier and feel they should think about not just changing the height requirements but getting rid of it all together, beauty comes in many different shapes, sizes ,colours. Really glad I joined Perfectly Petite as I’ve always felt petite models get the short straw and I’ve received knock backs due to my height and I’m sure there will be more but it’s how we deal with them, it made me all the more stronger and I look forward to helping out and spreading the word and look forward to the day when the modelling world listen and things change but I’ll keep modelling and hope that day comes soon. 

Thank you Catherine.

Five minutes with Danielle Lincoln

Name: Danielle (dee) Lincoln

Age: 20

Hometown: Largs 

Tell us a bit about yourself: I danced competitive dancing for 13 years, do part-time modelling, & love my social life to the max. My life would be nothing without my friends.

What sparked your interest in modelling? To be honest, Its not something I ever thought I could do!! Being 5"4, all you see are these skinny 5"11 girls everywhere and that’s the industry. Then a photographer spotted me at an awards ceremony in Glasgow & suggested it. I guess I could thank that photographer for getting me here!

Can you please give an account of your experience in the fashion industry and as a petite model? All I have mostly done is photoshoots, I have never done actual jobs as I find it hard to get anywhere!

Can you please give your opinion on the strict requirements that are present throughout the fashion industry (for example, height, weight and body shape)?  I think the fashion industry is shown in a bad way, & there restrictions are unfair & makes a lot of girls the way they are. These girls are shown as idols & they shouldn’t be. Even though they are amazing at what they do & always look perfect. that’s the problem ! its not perfect. Underweight etc isn’t a good thing.

Why do you feel that it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle? I feel that keeping a healthy lifestyle is the way of life. Some exercise etc & of course healthy eating. Not eating at all. Modelling is about showing real people? 

Thank you Danielle.

Five minutes with Antonella Imbimbo

Name: Denise Valentine model name real name Antonella Imbimbo

Age: 23

Hometown: Milton Keynes 

Occupation: Supervisor at a Sandwich bar in Milton keynes

Tell us a bit about yourself: I'm an outgoing individual who loves to go out with her best friends I'm a traveller and love to visit different countries as well as try different foods. I'm very passionate about photography also as I've graduated in that last year.

What sparked your interest in modelling?

Well three years ago when i started the whole photography course I decided to get extra cash by modelling, then i didn't know what genre best suited me, so i experimented with all types from gore to pin up and found out pin up was the theme I loved to model all the quirky dresses and fun poses I get to do, i would love to get into burlesque too love their outfits.

Can you please give an account of your experience in the fashion industry and as a petite model?

It's a tough industry to get into especially if your only 5ft tall i want to represent one of the many models who can say I've got many modelling jobs and want to get more petite awareness out there, that we can stand out from the crowd too. Height doesn't matter it's what images you portray and you can still look tall on camera. Also feel strongly about not being a size zero I'm a healthy size 10 and happy to be in this body shape.

Did you face any challenges or setbacks? And if so could you please state what they were?

The latex fashion has not accepted any of my offers as a model, because i'm too small apparently, then again I can look great in pvc so i proved some people wrong, and like to do that a lot: D I like to show that you don't need to be 5ft 10 to fit in this industry. There’s a lot of competition between models and I think that's what makes you stronger and wiser to not take crap from anyone 

How did you overcome these challenges/setbacks?

By being strong minded and just keep your head high, carrying on with what I love the most, and not listening to other people's opinions or bitchiness they have to say about you, many models may think that you need to be a certain height for catwalk and that's fair enough, but there's more short women than tall women these days. so therefore feel that we can take over fashion, and what real women are.

Can you please give your opinion on the strict requirements that are present throughout the fashion industry (for example, height, weight and body shape)? 

I think this strictness on height weight is a load of rubbish, because real women are what they are, curvy and beautiful. I think if you love yourself the way you are you look better in a photograph confidence shines through, plus the photographer whose shooting you will notice and you will get better images from him/her. 

Why do you feel that it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle? 

Some people think that you need to exercise everyday to look size zero, but I'm happy as I'am and no woman is, sometimes we need to lose a bit of weight to feel better about ourselves, but it's also better to keep healthy and eat because you wouldn't want to lose your womanly figure men love a shapely women i like to think so. Some people may think differently.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I love to be a petite model I want  to raise more awareness of what we are and how many women who are told they're too short to model is not right, and can do it too. If there's a will there's a way :)

Thank you very much Antonella.

Five minutes with Sarah Davies

Name: Sarah Davies
Age: 16
Hometown: Rockferry/ Wirral 
Occupation: student

Tell us a bit about yourself: I am a 16 year old model who is 5 foot 3inches and find it very hard to get work in the fashion industry due to my height. I love modelling and really want to do it as a job. I also love fashion, meeting new people and animals.

What sparked your interest in modelling? I wanted to gain confidence and self esteem and I felt that modelling would help me in improving my confidence.

Can you please give an account of your experience in the fashion industry and as a petite model? I have been involved in various fashion shows, 12 photography jobs, editorial work and a television appearance.

Did you face any challenges or setbacks? And if so could you please state what they were? YES – I have been rejected by agencies such as boss and premier, due to not meeting their requirements, i.e. height.

How did you overcome these challenges/setbacks? My mum helped me through them. She would support me and convince me that there are more opportunities out there.

Can you please give your opinion on the strict requirements that are present throughout the fashion industry (for example, height, weight and body shape)? I think it is really unfair that the industry want models to be of a height and size that everyday women aren’t for example, size 0 and 5foot 8. I think they should give every shape and size a chance to show what they can do. It would be better if they had real women in the magazines to show young people that being a healthy size is the way forward.

Why do you feel that it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle? In order to stay healthy it is important to eat a healthy diet and exercise the right way ensuring that you don’t skip meals and definitely don’t crash diet or yoyo by doing so your body will be better off.

Is there anything else you would like to add? I have suffered anorexia for 4 years. I am in recovery and at a healthy weight. I am finding it hard but I get more work and compliments with me now being at a healthy weight.

Thank you Sarah.

Five minutes with Emily Jung

Name: Emily Jung

Age: 17

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Occupation: Student and Summer intern at Studio Bert Forma in NYC

Tell us a bit about yourself: Standing only at 5'2, I have already accomplished many of my goals as a petite model. I have walked runways, been on billboards, buses, trains and websites. However, I am just getting started and people are about to see more of me. I strive to be the best and most renown petite model and I won't stop until I achieve my goal.

What sparked your interest in modelling? My first spark in modeling was from watching America's Next Top Model. I loved getting my makeup done and being styled in cute clothes! I love being pampered! Also I've always been some sort of a camera whore. I love taking pictures of myself and being in front of the camera. If you see a picture being taken, I'll run to be part of the picture!

Can you please give an account of your experience in the fashion industry and as a petite model? I started out modeling with my favorite mall; Willow Grove Mall, through a volunteer program called; Style Squad. I began walking on runways and then worked as a promotional model for stores such as Bebe and White House Black Market at the Willow Grove Mall. I then was chosen to be a model for PREIT's Back to School Shoot and after that I joined Modelmayhem.com where I worked with many photographers to build my portfolio to what it is today. Sometimes when I'm modeling for Willow Grove Mall, a stylist or photographer will ask to be a model for them.

Did you face any challenges or setbacks? And if so could you please state what they were? My biggest challenge is getting an agency that won't tell me to pay money upfront or that tells me to go into acting. I'm not an actress, I can't act but these agencies try to convince me into acting. I'm the worst actress in this world. I stink at lying! Being in front of a photographer and videographer is totally different!

How did you overcome these challenges/setbacks? I don't sign with anyone who wants money upfront or tells me to go into acting. I avoid them. I run from them.

Can you please give your opinion on the strict requirements that are present throughout the fashion industry (for example, height, weight and body shape)?

It's ridiculous. If you can take great photos and you're only 5'2, then be it! There are so many models who are 5'8 who take crappy photos compared to models who are 5'3. I've seen photos in magazines and thought to myself "if that girl's legs were shorter that picture would have come out so much better!" or "That girl looks too lanky for that outfit I could never see myself wearing it!" Clothes need to be shown so girls can relate to the models. 80% of American women are under 5'6 and not many are a size 0. How can women relate to models and find outfits if we can't see ourselves wearing the clothes because we are too short or too fat?

Why do you feel that it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle? Eat healthy; lots of veggies, fruit, lean protein and whole wheat carbs. Also try to walk whenever you get the chance. It's the best source of exercise!

Is there anything else you would like to add? I come off very strong but it's because I believe that I am a great petite model. Have you seen my pictures? I can show emotion in every single shot. I wasn't taught, it's the way I best express what I am feeling.

Would like to say a big thank you to Emily for taking the time to do the interview.

Tall trees, and slinky poles, New Petite model picks the perfect pose

On monday evening (30.05.2011) Perfectly Petite's competition winner, Claire Davidson was invited for her photoshoot. This was her first ever photoshoot so we decided to make it a relaxed atmosphere and go to a location where it would be quiet. We were lucky enough that the weather was on our side and stayed sunny. It made shooting at Camperdown Country Park an enjouable experience for all involved.


So what goes on in a photoshoot...

First of all there is a lot of preparation to be done,some of which involves setting up lighting equiptment, sourcing a location and applying the make up. The make up artist (Fiona Lees) did a brilliant job and can even add to her C.V that she can apply make up in a tent! Fiona worked well with the Photographer (Douglas Kerr), the model and myself as director.

During the photoshoot Claire followed direction well and took on board any ideas that were given to her. This is what makes a good a model. Not only did she take note of what was said she was able to bring her own ideas forward too. Which for a first time model is a great achievement.






Douglas Kerr was very patient with Claire. He allowed her to take her time and answered any questions that she had. I felt this was important for Claire ,and as the shoot progressed you could see she was less nervous and began to enjoy the experience.

We will be seeing more of Claire when she joins the rest of the Perfectly Petite models in our Charity Calendar.






A big thank you goes to Douglas Kerr ,Fiona Lees and everyone involved with the photoshoot.