Models are known for being tall, and you might watch a whole fashion TV show without spotting anyone shorter than 5-foot-8.
Designers prefer taller women with a thin frame to focus on the clothes instead of the model’s physical appearance.
In addition, taller models give a more powerful figure on the runway than most regular height participants.
However, some models have gained global recognition despite being 5’8″. This comes after the constant campaigns for inclusivity which has seen shorter models step into the runway. It may be hard to notice the height difference because of the photography angles.
Models like Kate Moss took the 90s by storm despite being only 5-foot-7. This shows that people can break the bias anywhere and in many ways. Here is a list of the shortest runway models who have gone beyond their height to succeed.
1. Amina Blue – 5 ft. 1 in
Amina Blue is a German-Pakistani model and is widely known for her striking features and tattoos.
Being 5-foot-1 has not stopped her from being one of the most outstanding runway models. The name “blue” is not her real name but a nickname for her blue eyes.
She started as a video vixen appearing on music videos for Busta Rhymes before she was a model for the Kanye West lines and fashion magazines such as the German Fashion magazine.
2. Lily-rose Depp – 5 ft. 3in
By Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Lily-Rose Depp is a French-American actress and model and the daughter of actor Johnny Depp and singer Vanessa Paradis.
After attending Chanel’s métiers d’Art collection show in New York with her mother, a long-time Chanel ambassador, Lily made her runway debut with Chanel in 2016, only 5 feet, 3 inches tall.
3. Anja Konstantinova – 5 ft. 4 in
Anja Konstantinova is the daughter of ballet teachers and was born in Russia and raised in Australia. She was discovered in a Melbourne salon but has had quite the rejection in her career before it took off.
Being a runway model at 5 ft. 4, she has landed prestigious contracts with companies such as Vogue, IMG model in Australia, and Elite Model Management in Paris.
4. Devon Aoki – 5 ft. 5 in
Devon Aoki is an American actress famously known for her supporting role in 2 Fast 2 Furious as “suki” and Sin City as “Miho.”
She is among the most recognized faces of modeling of the 90s, making her first runway debut in 1997. Devon Aoki is only 5-foot-5 and has worked with brands such as Balenciaga and Chanel.
5. Eva Pigford – 5 ft. 5 in
Eva Pigford is one of the shortest models to hit the runway at 5-foot-5. She won the third cycle of “America’s Next Top Model” and decided to change her name when she got into acting.
Although she was not over 6 feet tall, she still managed to model for DKNY and CoverGirl and was featured in fashion magazines like Elle and Essence.
6. Funda Onal – 5ft 5inches
Funda Onal is a British model and dancer of Turkish descent. She is known for her appearance in music videos for musicians such as Calvin Harris and Tinie Tempah.
Funda is one of the shortest runway models at just 5-foot-5. She has walked for brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Reebok in her modeling and appeared in the British reality TV show Made in Chelsea.
7. Lottie Moss – 5ft 5 ¾ in
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Lottie is the half-sister to the British model Katie Moss and was featured in the American vogue during her half-sister wedding.
Despite shining in her sister’s fame, Lottie has been featured in ads for Calvin Klein, where her sister had modeled before
Lottie is known for her short stature of 5 ft. 6, and she associates her modeling career with nepotism.
8. Twiggy – 5 ft. 6 in
Dame Lesley Lawson DBE, also known as Twiggy, is one of the shortest runway models. Even though Twiggy is not active on the runway, she is an honorable mention on this list.
Twiggy might be 5-foot-6, but she is known internationally as the first supermodel. She has worked with bigger brands, even turning her name into a business.
It is believed that Twiggy once earned more than The Beatles, which is something to think about.
9. Jenny Shimizu – 5 ft. 6 in
Jenny Shimizu is known for appearing in Calvin Klein CK1 advertisements. At only 5-foot-6, Jenny’s runway modeling has seen her work with Thierry Mugler, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Donna Karan, and the Banana Republic.
The model has also appeared on fashion TV shows like “Make Me a Supermodel” and “America’s Next Top Model.”
10. Kate Moss – 5 ft. 6 in
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Kate Moss is an iconic British model known for her heroin chic fashion trend. She was discovered at the JFK airport at 14 and afterward began doing magazine shoots for teenage magazines.
Being only 5 feet and 6 inches tall, her sense of style has made her relevant in fashion. She is most recognized for her iconic moment on the runway, which landed her a contract with Gucci.
11. Laetitia Casta – 5 ft. 6 in
Laetitia Casta started her modeling career aged 15 and has become one of the greatest and most famous French supermodels.
The model cum actor is only 5 feet and 6 inches tall and has been successful in both fields. She has worked for companies like Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, etc.
12. Sofia Richie – 5ft 6 inches
By Eric Longden
CC BY 3.0, Link
The 23-year-old American model is the daughter of legendary musician Lionel Richie and goddaughter of legendary singer Michael Jackson.
After being featured in Teen Vogue at 14, Sofia took modeling as a career despite training as a musician.
She is also an actress, appearing in many TV shows and in one Hollywood movie being only 5-foot-6.
13. Josie Maran – 5 ft. 6 in
Josie Maran is one of the short models who have found success being 5-foot-6. She appeared in Glamor Magazine at 20 years old and followed up with two campaigns.
She has also featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for three successive years, even signing a multi-year contract with Maybelline.
14. Marilyn Monroe – 5 ft. 6 in
The iconic singer was known for her appearances in classic movies that have remained relevant in the industry.
The movies earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and three Golden Globes.
She changed the modeling industry with her body-conscious designs that embraced her feminine structure, being only 5-foot-6.
15. Audrey Marnay – 5 ft. 6 in
Before turning into acting, Audrey Marnay was one of the shortest and most successful runway models.
At only 5-foot-6, she has worked with bigger brands like Versace and Calvin Klein. She has also appeared on a magazine cover for Vogue and Elle.
16. Hailey Baldwin Bieber – 5 ft. 7 in
The American model is the wife of the popular pop singer Justin Bieber. Hailey was homeschooled to attend the American ballet theater in New York at a young age.
She indulged in modeling after her foot was injured and could not pursue a career as a ballerina.
At 5-foot-7, Hailey has worked with Ford Models and grown to work with brands such as IMG Models, Tommy Hilfiger, Moschino, and more.
17. Bambi Northwood-Blyth – 5ft 7 in
The 31-year-old model, also known as Bambi, was born in Melbourne, Australia, for her catchy blue eyes.
She began her career as a vocational model at 17 after winning the third position in a modeling competition.
Bambi is only 5-foot-7 and was on the cover page of Glamor Iceland in 2016. She has been a runway model for brands like H&M and Calvin Klein.
18. Emily Ratajkowski – 5 ft. 7 in
Born in London and raised in San Diego, Emily is an actress and an author. Her acting career began as a child with a recurring role in the Nickelodeon series iCarly.
She has made a film debut and is an advocate for female issues.
Emily is only 5 feet and 7 inches tall and has walked on the Paris Fashion Week runway for Miu Miu and other brands such as Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, etc.
19. Georgia May Jagger – 5 ft. 7 in
The model is the daughter of the Rolling stones legend singer Mick Jagger and American supermodel, Jerry Hall.
Apart from modeling, the 5-foot-7 runway model has established herself as a businesswoman and a fashion designer.
Georgia has walked the runway for brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, Fendi, Tom Ford, and Louis Vuitton.
20. Lydia Hearst – 5 ft. 7 in
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Lydia is a descendant and heiress of one of the most powerful American mass media companies her great maternal grandfather made.
She has made an acting debut on the hit show Gossip Girl. She was discovered by the photographer Steven Meisel who put her on the cover of Vogue Italia.
Her appearance in the magazines kicked off her modeling career despite being 5-foot-7, which may be short for a model.
21. Sara Sampaio – 5 ft. 8 in
The Portuguese supermodel is also an actor and has made appearances in various music videos and films.
Apart from her striking green eyes, Sara is also known for her passion for nude photography and confidence.
Despite suffering from trichotillomania and being 5-foot-8, Sampaio has worked with numerous brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Portuguese vogue, and Axe body spray.
The dimension of stuff has been an interest of mine ever since I was a child. What I believe is most fascinating about the dimension of stuff is how extremely long, tall and wide some objects are both on earth and in the universe.