Another Call for Petite Designers!

If you are a fashion designer who specializes in that fit women 5'4" or shorter, Shorty Stories wants to profile you! Please send us an email with a link to your website as well as a short introduction and we'll be in touch with you!

Thanks!

C

August Poll Results

Last month, we asked you: Do you wear capris? The results were:

24% said: Yes, why not?

37% said: Yes, but only in some lengths

18% said: No, capris are a faux pas for us petites. They make our legs look short!

18% said: No, but not because they're a faux pas. It's because they're ugly!

2% said: What are capris?

This month: Would you consider boycotting brands that do not make petites?

June Survey Results!

The results from last month's poll, which asked: Do you have plans to attend Petite Fashionista Presents? are now in:

12% of you said: Yes, of course! I'll be there at 2 pm sharp!

65% said: I'd come if it wasn't so far away.

8% said: No plans at all

15% said: What's Petite Fashionista Presents?

Well, as most of you know, Petite Fashionista Presents was a GRAND SUCCESS! Thanks once again, Christa for this excellent event!

This month, we're asking: Have you ever lied about your height?

Survey closes on July 31 at 11:59 pm.

Petite Fashionista Presents Wrap-Up

Petite Fashionista Presents, hosted by Christa Jean of Petite Fashionista, occurred on June 22, 2008. From the fashion show, to the vendors, to the speakers and the celebrity auction, everyone had a great time. The first hour was mostly shopping, and I bought a Fernanda Carneiro dress fairly quickly. This same dress was featured in the fashion show, which occurred later at the event. In addition to shopping, attendees had the opportunity to get massages, get their pants or skirts hemmed and manicures. Of course, there were speakers, a fashion show and celebrity clothing auction as well.

Beauty isn't only about fashion, it's also how you present yourself. Two of the speakers at Petite Fashionista Presents were Jennifer Ettinger from Fit Your Style, a company that offers women a variety of products and services to help her achieve the best health and beauty results, as well as a cardio salsa demonstration with Gorete Almeida.

Another guest speaker was Melissa Meveal from Help Dress Me, who shared her top tips on dressing for petites. Help Dress Me is a company that offers image consulting, styling and personal shopping that is customized to every individual. Melissa offered great advice and many of the clothes featured are available in Toronto area stores, including Aritzia and Petite Alternative.

This trench coat is available at Petite Alternative

The fashion show's venue had a last minute change due to the possibility of rain. Because it was held indoors, the set up of the show actually looked more like the fashion shows one would see in Fashion Week, with spectators on each side of the runway. Prior to the start of the fashion show, Christa Jean (the Petite Fashionista herself) and Tamara Glick from Trademark Image. This segment was similar to what one might find in a talk show such as Oprah or The View, where people first show up in something that is a little on the unflattering side for them, and then are transformed (even if it's just a little bit) to something that looks amazing.

TLE Designs

Fernanda Carneiro

Lovelina top/5ft 2in pants

Benedicto

Lovelina jacket and Joe's Provacateur Jeans

Kingston 20 top/Joe's Jeans

Sweet Petites

As for the fashion show, the clothes presented were absolutely gorgeous. TLE, Sweet Petites, 5ft 2in, Fernanda Carneiro, Benedicto, Kingston 20 and Joe's Jeans were all part of the show. The models, every one of them petite, did an amazing job. It definitely shows that the you don't have to be a six foot tall, 100 pound blonde to strut your stuff on the runway.

Celebrity Clothing Auction: Keshia Chante shirt

Alice + Oliva dress donated by Hayden Panettiere

Juicy Couture dress donated by Hayden

Hale Bob Vero Cuicio Black Silk Bow Tie heels

The last major segment of the show was the celebrity clothing auction. Up for auction were a t-shirt donated by Keshia Chante, a Canadian R&B singer and three items from Heroes star Hayden Panettiere. Hayden's black and white dress was by Alice + Olivia and her yellow dress was Juicy Couture. Also up for auction were the Hale Bob Vero Cuicio Black Silk Bow Tie heels. These shoes were worn with the Alice + Olivia dress at the premiere for It's a Mall World, starring Milo Ventimiglia. All proceeds from the celebrity clothing auction go directly to Hayden Panettiere's charity, Save the Whales Again!

This article is cross-posted in Prospere Magazine

Thank you, Christa!

Petite Fashionista Presents was such an amazing event! We all had a blast!!!

Petite Fashionista Presents Picutres!

Petite Fashionista Presents was held this afternoon (June 22, 2008) at the Proof Bar and Sky Lounge at the Intercontinental Hotel, Yorkville. Here are a few pictures that were taken today. Look for a full write-up and more pictures in Tuesday's issue!

TLE Designs display. Includes headbands, belts and dresses.

5ft2in capris (from fashion show)

Christa auctioning dresses donated by actress Hayden Panettiere. 100% proceeds go to Save the Whales Again!

Help Dress Me with Melissa Maveal. Suit is from Aritzia.

Loveina Dress from Fashion Show

Fernanda Carneiro dress (I bought this dress too!)

I also participated in the celebrity clothing auction and got a pair of shoes worn by Hayden Panettiere. Here is a picture of me in the shoes (and the Fernanda Carneiro dress):

Petite Fashionista Presents is TODAY!!!!

Reminder of location: Proof Bar and Sky Lounge, Intercontinental Hotel, Yorkville (220 Bloor St. W)



When: 2 pm to 5 pm





There'll be shopping, free manicures, pants hemming, and a CELEBRITY CLOTHING AUCTION featuring items donated by HAYDEN PANETIERRE and KESHIA CHANTE!

Tickets are available at the door for $25!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!!!

look for pictures RIGHT HERE IN SHORTY STORIES TONIGHT!

Petite Fashionista Presents Interviews: Juliana Corona-Mclean and Benedicto

After studying fashion design at the International Academy of Design, Juliana Corona-Mclean spent some time working as a manager in an alterations shop. However, she wanted to venture out, to try new things. Eventually, she began to make her own clothes. This later expanded to what is now Benedicto. Named after her grandfather, Juliana felt that such a name would be "strong and significant." Benedicto launched a mini-line in 2007 and soon, Juliana applied and was accepted for a grant from the government. This year, Juliana held her first fashion show with her full line of men's, women's (plus, petite as well as misses) and girls'.



On why Benedicto covers all body types when it comes to women's fashion:

I don't know anyone who is six feet tall and a size zero. I wanted to create clothes for all body types. Clothing that I felt that my family and friends would wear.



On whether she uses fit models:

Clothes are made for the client and scaled according to their shape. However, for my May 24 show, the clothes designed well in advance, and then tweaked on the models.

On what she thinks looks best on ALL WOMEN:

Anything wrap - dresses or tops, would look amazing on just about anyone. Different sizes should look for different types of wrap dresses or tops. For example, if a woman is more on the plus side, she should look for something with a band so that her waist would be more defined.

On why is it so difficult for the mainstream fashion industry to understand the need for "non-standard" sizes, even when we make up the majority:

Simplicity. The industry wants manufacture many pieces very quickly, so the best way is to limit it to a range of sizes. In addition, it's cheaper to mass produce this way.

On designers she admires:

My two favourite designers are Valentino and Donna Karan. I like Valentino because he KNOWS how to make a woman look glamourous in any colour and I like Donna Karan because she didn't plan on taking the fashion world by storm. In fact, she's very down-to-earth. Like Valentino, Donna Karan knows how to make a woman look and feel fabulous. She also knows how to cater to different women. For example, her DKNY line is mainstream, has everything. Her Donna Karan line, on the other hand is sophisticated and high-end.

On where she'd like to see Benedicto in five years:

By then, my e-commerce site will be up in running. I'd also like to see my clothes in a few stores in the United States and Canada. Also, I would like to import my own special fabrics, from Europe, Asia and Africa.



If you are interested in purchasing Benedicto, please contact Juliana at benedicto (at) gmail (dot) com

This is cross-posted at Prospere Magazine

Petite Fashionista Presents Interview: Catherine Bui and Lovelina

Inspired by vintage looks, Catherine Bui launched Megumi Moon in 2006. The name was later changed to Lovelina, a made-up derivative of the word "lovely," as lovely is how a woman should feel when she wear's Catherine's clothes. Not only does Lovelina have a vintage look, but Catherine tends to use vintage fabrics or elements. Therefore, each piece is an exclusive, limited edition look, not found anywhere else. In addition, Catherine has started to go green, using eco-friendly products.

On the line itself:

I generally don't make pants. Since my entire theme leans towards vintage, feminine looks, I find that romantic blouses, skirts, and dresses suit my aesthetic better. I do love pants, however, and I may give them a try in the future. Creating a beautiful pant requires precise engineering and if ever I have the time to dedicate towards that, I'd make the move.



On how long it took to start Lovelina:

Well, after high school, I studied fashion and completed an Apparel Design and Merchandising program. I later interned for a high-end bridal gown designer for awhile; then traveled to Southeast Asia to research design there for a time. All in all, I'd say from the time I graduated from the design program it took about 4 years before I took the step to begin my own collection.

On the height of her models:

I hate to categorize my collection. Yes, I do design to flatter myself, but I want people of all shapes and sizes to be able to look good in my clothes as well. So while I design to compliment women of smaller stature, my designs are also created to look good on taller women as well. I've had models anywhere from 5'0" to 5'7" look spectacular in my designs!

On media reaction to Lovelina:

I was recently touted as being one of the few eco-friendly designers with beautiful, fashionable designs where many others just make t-shirts. Who says eco-friendly has to be mundane?

On a designer she admires:

I have immense admiration for independent designers with original ideas. My favorite indie designer of the moment is Leanimal. Her designs are edgy and high-fashion while being affordable and wearable.

Advice to would-be designers:

First, get a proper fashion education to learn the foundation of fashion and design. Second, work under at least a few designers/design companies to gain experience. This step is especially important because this is how you build contact and sourcing information which is critical when you get around to starting your own collection. Third, I would recommend taking courses on accounting, business, starting a business, etc. Having your own collection is only 10% design and the other 90% is business and administration. You can take the leap when you've got all that under your belt. I only wish I'd had someone to give me the same advice when I started out.

On where she sees Lovelina in five years:

I don't think I'd ever be happy seeing my collection as a common, mass-produced entity, therefore I'm not sure if I'd like to see it widely circulated in major department stores. I think that takes away from it's originality. I would love the idea of Lovelina being stocked in many specialty boutiques worldwide. When a woman purchases a Lovelina piece, I want it to be a timeless, treasured thing, not a disposable piece of clothing purchased on the whim of a fleeting trend. My goal has always been to share my art with the world and to have others love it as much as I do.

Lovelina is currently available for sale online and at specialty boutiques around California.

Petite Fashionista Presents Reminder

It's less than one week until Petite Fashionista Presents! Tickets are still available for purchase at the price of $15 online and at Sugar 'n' Spice on 54 Woseley Street.

Also, look for the Lovelina interview online TOMORROW!

Petite Fashionista Presents Inverview: Sunny Suppa of 5ft 2in

Sunny Suppa, who immigrated to the United States from Thailand as a teenager, is truly living the American Dream. With a bit of help from a non-profit group called CEO Woman, she started 5ft2in™, new line of pants especially for women 5’2” or shorter. At 5’2 ½”, Sunny definitely relates to these women. While she never thought it was an issue while she was in school, after graduation, it became apparent that the fashion world isn’t very petite friendly. Like most petite women, she had difficulty finding appropriate clothes for work. While yes, some clothing lines do have petites, the pants are often still too long. Sometimes, it took her hours even to attempt finding pants that didn’t sag, drag or were too long. It wasn’t all that kind to her self-confidence. It made her feel horrible. Currently, Sunny’s line consists of work-related full length pants and capris, from size 0-12 and with inseams that range from 26” to 29”. She fits the pants on an actual petite model, and will eventually make 00s and plus petites up to size 28.

On the challenge of speaking with buyers:

They need to understand that there is really a need for a petite market. Most of them do not think they have many petite customers, or they think carrying a petite line might change the image of their stores. And when they understood petite issues, their bosses did not.

On whether she thinks the fashion world would become more accepting of non-standard sized designers:

It will take some time, but eventually, yes. Fashion has always been about doing something new, and being the pioneer. Catering to a non-standard size is definitely new and pioneering. It will certainly take some time and effort, but it can happen and if we make enough noise it will.

On whether these designers can be successful:

Yes. Designers who are willing to see us for how we are different from the norm, yet realize that we are all so different at all, and cater their businesses to those markets will be very successful.

On whether she wants to change the world:

Changing the world is a big responsibility. What I want to do is add to it. I think people in the world deserve more options.

On where she would like to take 5ft2in™:

I’d love for the brand to become a household name. A trusted brand for all petite women where they know the clothes will always fit.

Sunny lives in California. 5ft2in™ is available for purchase online. The pants come in four colours: black, grey, brown and khaki.

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

Benedicto Fashion Show - May 24, 2008

Benedicto, a clothing line by Juliana Corona, for women of all shapes and sizes ("regular," plus and YES, PETITES), plus guys and little girls, will be holding a fashion show at the Proof Bar and Sky Lounge (Intercontinental Hotel, 220 Bloor Street West, Toronto) on May 24, 2008. It's going to be a very exciting event, and if you are going to be attending Petite Fashionista Presents, you're in luck, as you'll be able to see Juliana's pieces ahead of time!

The doors at Proof open at 6:30 pm and the fashion show begins at 7:30. Appetizers will be available after the show. Tickets are $20 and available at the Knowledge Bookstore in Brampton and Big it Up (58 Spadina Avenue, Toronto Eaton Centre and Square One).

I am very excited for this event, and am very much looking forward to it. The hostess-emcee for the event is poet/journalist Karen L. Richardson, a.k.a. "Nurse Karen." Partial proceeds for this event will go to Voices Ghana, a youth-centred global human rights organization working to include the input of young people in policy discussions regarding public heath and well being.

Look for a wrap-up post both here in Shorty Stories and at Prospere Magazine.

For more information on this event, please visit the Benedicto Fashion Show Event Page on Facebook.

Petite Fashionista Presents June 22, 2008 in Toronto!

I just spoke with Christa Jean of Petite Fashionista and she's told me more news about Petite Fashionista Presents! She has confirmed that the event will include the following brands!

• Joe's Jeans
• Sweet Petite
• TLE Designs

and MORE!

In addition to shopping, attendees will also get spa services (free manicure!), live wardrobe advice and oh yes, a FASHION SHOW too! The models will all be petite, so NO SIX FOOT SIZE ZEROS HERE!

For more information and to order tickets, please click the image on top of the post. The event will be held on June 22, 2008 at the Proof Bar & Sky Lounge from 2-8 pm in Toronto's Bloor Street shopping district!! Tickets are only $15!

Petite Fashionista Presents is also on Facebook! You can invite yourself and your friends too!

New Issue of Prospere Magazine is LIVE!

Just thought I'd let everyone know that the new issue of Prospere Magazine (for April 15 to 28, 2008) went live on Tuesday. Please check it out if you haven't already done so! This week's Prospere Magazine question asks: Wardrobe Quality or Quantity: Spend more on a few basic pieces or less on many?

Also, the Shorty Stories monthly poll has NOT disappeared. It's just below the Petite Fashionista Presents event announcement (an official post on this will come soon)!!! The Shorty Stories poll closes on April 30.

Attention Toronto Area Petite Models!

Christa Jean from Petite Fashionista to cast petite models for an upcoming petite fashion show! Please go to this post for contact information.

This sounds like a very exciting opportunity and a way to show the world that yes, shorter girls can do fashion too! Hey, maybe some day, shorter girls can prove to the fashion big wigs that we're not non-existent (I just saw Horton Hears a Who!, so I'm really tempted to say that we're Whos and the fashion industry is pretty much everyone (other than Horton) in the Jungle of Nool (ESPECIALLY the kangaroo), but that's really a whole other post).

The show is going to be in Toronto later this year and the show will definitely be covered both here at Shorty Stories and Prospere Magazine!

Petite Fashionista Wants Your Input on Designer Jeans

From Petite Fashionista:

A designer brand (who will remain anonymous at this moment) wants toexpand their line to include fashion forward options for petites!

The post is from Monday, March 10 and is called "A Designer Brand Needs Your Input"