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Compiled by "Smart Mouth" columnist Amelia Robinson, Seen and Overheard is fueled by juicy tidbits, oddball tales and strange sightings.
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Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Are size 0 to 4 models too small?
Yesterday’s post about Dayton Fashion Week’s search for models caused a big stir.
Many of you questioned the sanity of organizers’ height and size restrictions for female models: 5’8” without heels and wear a size 0-4.
“This is absolutely disgusting!!!! But please don’t let it reflect on the City as a whole. Rather let if reflect on those individuals whom make up this disgusting organization. I wish I could sue people who use Dayton’s name to promote such discriminating events!!!!! I’m sure the individuals’ names are public knowlege…..” one reader posted.
“Really women size 0-4? Who wears that???!!! Not real people!!! - another poster wrote.”
Click here to read more responses and to get details about the casting call.
Caressa Brown, director of operations of Dayton Fashion Week, said that while opportunities for plus size models - those size 6 and larger - have opened up since she first distributed the casting call announcement on her Dayton Most Metro Blog, the original height and weight restrictions were and are legitimate.
Designing and making clothing for smaller models is cheaper and thinner models are perceived to be more attractive, she said.
“A lot of designers want their clothes to appear on the runway the way they appear on the hanger. That means models with no curves,” the 32-year-old said. “That’s just the industry standard not that I support it.”
The inaugural Dayton Fashion Week is scheduled for July 24-29 and will feature fashion shows, networking opportunities and other events.
Founded by local Liberian-born designer Junda Morris-Kennedy, the fashion week events are designed to help nurture and showcase Dayton’s fashion industry, Brown said.
While international designers will be featured, most of the wares modeled during Dayton Fashion Week will be from local designers and boutiques.
“What we want to do is take advantage of the talent here and build a market,” said Brown, a Dayton native who began modeling professionally at age 12. “We shouldn’t have to leave the area to pursue our dreams.”
Brown acknowledges that the original height and weight requirements for the event seemed harsh, but she said they are the way of the world.
“There are some things that are going to be strict. I am not telling you to go out and starve yourself,” she said. “I don’t want to tear anyone down, but the truth is that everybody is not going to be chosen. There are restrictions for any job.”
What do you think? Is there anything wrong with requesting models who are size 0 to 4?
Seen & Overheard runs in the Dayton Daily News. Twitter with me at DDNSmartmouth. Have an item for Seen and Overheard? Click here.
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