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Petite Fashionista Presents Interview: Christa Jean

Christa Jean is the creator and brainchild of Petite Fashionista, a blog that offers tips for petite women all over the world since the fall of 2006. At 5'2", Christa started her site because she felt that there was a lack of ready-to-wear clothes made for petite women. Her site has had a strong following ever since, with readers from all over North America and the world.

On June 22, 2008, she will be hosting her very first event, Petite Fashionista Presents, at the Proof Bar/Sky Lounge at the Intercontinental Hotel, Yorkville in Toronto. This amazing show will feature North American designers who specialize in clothing for women 5'4" or shorter, including TLE Designs, Sweet Petites, Lovelina and Fernanda Carneiro. Many of these designers will be interviewed by Prospere Magazine in the coming weeks.

I had the opportunity to speak with Christa about Petite Fashionista and Petite Fashionista Presents last weekend and here's what she has to say:

On Petite Fashionista Presents:

This is the first-ever Petite Extravaganza. It's a launch of the brand (Petite Fashionista) and also a celebration of all things petite! This is something that I've always wanted to do. It was just a matter of timing. And the timing is right now.

On who is going to be at the event:

There'll be many designers, all of whom have a petite focus. They include TLE Designs, 5ft 2in, Sweet Petites, Lovelina, Benedicto and Fernanda Carneiro.* Joe's Jeans will also be in the fashion show with its Provocateur fit.

On how she got hold of the designers:

I did a lot of research and then contacted them on my own. I also sent out press releases.

On what people can expect at Petite Fashionista Presents:

There's the fashion show, of course, as well as shopping, including some of the designers from in the fashion show. There'll also be accessories on sale as well as a celebrity fashion auction, featuring clothes from Hayden Panettiere!

On whether people can purchase items by credit card:

Some vendors will take credit cards, but there's also a bank machine at the venue.

On whether she's going to take her show outside of Toronto:

Sure! I'd like to hit New York City, LA and Vancouver.

On what the fashion industry can get out of Petite Fashionista Presents:

This event will bring attention to the number of people who are enthusiastic about and willing to spend money on petite clothing, something that the fashion industry doesn't always realize.

On what's next for Petite Fashionista:

Petite Fashionista is expanding its website to include other features, including e-commerce!

* Cynthia's Note: These designers will all be interviewed for Prospere Magazine and Shorty Stories.

This post is cross-posted at Prospere Magazine

Old Lady Brand Suggestions for Young Women?

I came across an old Budget Fashionista post while looking for blogging topics for Shorty Stories. In the post, a 5'1" twenty-something writes in for fashion advice and suggestions for office clothes, because there's so few options for petite women. While I liked the Budget Fashionista's suggestion of wearing French or Japanese brands, I'm not too sure if I feel the same way about her petite designer suggestions. Eileen Fisher? C'mon! It isn't exactly something that a 23 year old would want to touch unless she wants to look like her mother (or maybe even her GRANDMOTHER!). INC International Concepts, however, is a great petite brand if you're not too small framed.

What do you think? Would you agree, or do you think the Budget Fashionista was giving advice to petites in general?

Spring Shortypantz Out!

Hello! This is just to let you know that the Spring 2008 issue of Shortypantz is now available online. This season, you will find articles such as:

• Shorties that Came Before Us
• A story on Coco Chanel (by serafina)
• Petite celeb highlight: Reese Witherspoon

To read these and more, please click on the picture above! The next issue will be out in June.

Dressing the Petite Body from Expert Village

Susan Jacobs gives great advice for petite women. There are fifteen videos in all, ranging from shoe tips, to skirts, cropped pants (according to Susan, the difference between cropped pants and capris is length. Cropped pants can be as short as just below the knee (which is a great length for petites, IMHO) while capris are just above the ankle)

Susan's videos from Expert Village:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/1431_petite-fashion.htm

What do you think of her videos? Did you learn anything new from these or is it just the same old you've heard from on other websites, magazines or television shows? Most of Susan's videos focus on the workplace, or more specifically, an office. What about other types of work? Some of her tips don't, for example, apply to an elementary school teacher (though it may for someone who teaches say, high school English). And what about a more casual wardrobe? Formal? What would YOU do?