To answer yesterday's question, petites CAN look gorgeous on the runway and show the designs in their most flattering way. How else would you show a petite line, right? Sheena and Pam received much advice on how to show their line and still look professional in the often unforgivable industry. I am so happy they didn't listen to advice such as "petites need to be super skinny" or "just use mannequins and show your collection in a showroom". Their show was glamorous, youthful and professional. Keep up the great work girls!
http://www.tamiece.com/events/runway.html or click the title to view the show.
Tamiece Interview




PF is a proud member of Splendicity.com

From the San Francisco Fashion Incubator:

Sheena from Tamiece designs submitted this question: "My sister/partner and I are among the participating designers at this year's San Francisco Fashion Week. This is our first major fashion show. I have a question that you might want to entertain.
Our line focuses on female petites, catered to those 5'4" and under. What are your thoughts on using petite models on the runway? We've been told that using models under 5'8" will make the clothes look bad, even overwhelming and may negatively effect our reviews. Do you or anybody think this is true? Any opinions on short runway models?"

Readers what are your thoughts? Have we grown so accustumed to seeing incredibly tall thin women on the runway that it would look bad to the eye, or can it be done?

Tomorrow you will find out what Tamiece did for their first runway show of their petite line.

Scarlett Johansson
5' 4"
I just seen the "The Prestige" last night, a star-studded film about rival magicians. Johansson's performance as Olivia was amazing. She's a style icon, exudes confidence in every photo and always looks so comfortable in her skin. Her acting career was launched in the off-Broadway production of 'Sophistry' with Ethan Hawke. You probably first remember her from "The Horse Whisperer", followed by many other titles including my favorites; "Lost in Translation", "In Good Company" and "The Island". In the next year look for her in; Amazon, Napoleon and Betsy, Mary Queen of Scots, Brilliant, The Other Boleyn Girl, and (I'll be there opening night!) The Nanny Diaries!

Size 0 is gaining popularity with everyday women, no longer restricted to celebrities on the cover of US Weekly. Retailers are realizing that many of their consumers and reaching a new level of thin, sometimes having the size 0 altered. If you are a size zero you are much aware of the difficulty in finding your size, but I'm sure you receive a lot of flack if you ever complain. Designers are well aware of the need of the size, some designers have aggressively gone after zeros as a way to compensate for the near nonexistence of petite departments. While I'm sure you'll agree it's not the same thing, this does help sz. 0 petites. Designer Lela Rose got into the zero game when she found some of her customers swimming in her size 2 pieces. Zero has become one of her label's top-selling sizes. Zero-sized merchandise is also doing well for Nicole Miller. She plans to introduce a subzero size next season for even smaller women. The new size would be geared toward women with a 23 1/2-inch waist and 35-inch lower hip. Sizes 0 and 2 are always the first to sell out in Nicole Miller stores. "Zero is too big for a lot of girls and I wouldn't say they are anorexic girls. There are many very petite girls and very small Asian women", said Miller. While Lela Rose, Marc Jacobs, Cynthia Rowley and Nicole Miller may be on board with zero sizing, many high-end American designers are not. Bucciarelli said, "“I wonder if it's an American phenomenon. I don't know there is an equivalent size in Europe". There is a problem when so many celebrities, who are not naturally so waify, become skeletal images that young girls look up to. The zero-wearing shopper feels pressured to buy her size, because small sizes tend to sell out quickly. To make things harder the fact is buyers tend to buy only a few size zeros of a particular style, compared with plenty of 8s or 10s. Retailers are slowly realizing the trend and I hope this will change their decision for the following seasons.
Click the title for the full WWD story

I was walking home today and decided to warm up in the next shop I seen. Lucky for me that shop happened to be Femme. I was welcomed with vibrant colours and whimsical pucci-esque prints. This is just what I've been looking for! A Little Wrap Dress shop. You know how I'm always raving about the wonders of a wrap dress, well here is your new destination. If you love DVF's dresses a few entries ago, you'll be even happier with Femme's. A bright smile and glowing personality was offered by a stunning woman with real curves; Donna Roberts.She is the designer and owner of the North Toronto Boutique. Donna carries wrap dresses cut for petites in all sizes including xs. When in Toronto, don't miss this destination!
416.487.9874
2095 1/2 Yonge St.

Merging fashion with activivism. When you see red at the GAP, don't just stand there-buy something! As part of an inititiative brought to life by Bono and Bobby Shriver, 50% of each GAP Product RED sale goes to The Global Fund, a business model that fights disease and poverty in Africa. Gap's PRODUCT (RED) 2006 includes tees, hoodies in cotton and in cashmere, jackets, jeans, bags, belts, caps and scarves. Now everyone can be a philanthropist, just by shopping for a sexy tee. Click the title to find out more...

One Dress Fits All

Well, this is the closest I've ever seen!
It flows. It drapes. It makes the least of your bulges and the most of your curves.Pull it on and you're dressed; roll it up and you're packed! Every woman of every shape should own at least one lycra jersey dress. It suits all petites xs to xl; generating cleavage, hiding upper arms, providing graceful camouflage for tummies and hips.
Wear it 3 ways:
1. Casual & Covered up: A cami underneath with boots and dark tights.
2. Sexy Sophisticate: Textured tight with high heels.
3. Sweet & Sassy: Opaque tights and kitten heels.

Where to buy:
The dress pictured here is by Susana Monaco, click the title to buy
I have also seen similar versions at edressme.com, victoriassecret.com and believe it or not at walmart.com

Audrey Hepburn's style lives on through Natalie Portman (2 of my fav petites). This month watch for Natalie on the cover of Harpers Bazaar wearing the famous dress from 1961's "Breakfast at Tiffany's". She is stunning recreating the look of Audrey's well known character, Holly Golightly. Wearing the original dress designed by Givenchy, pearls and a sleek updo with a black headband. Natalie is often referred to as the modern day Hepburn. Audrey's style is iconic. She has inspired us to wear a little black dress and without any fuss, we feel and look fabulous!


This weekend I am going to find an excuse to wear my LBD with pearls, heels and an updo, you should too. Anyone who sends me a pic of herself wearing their favorite LBD this month I will publish the photo and send you a PF Prize Pack!

In need of a party dress? Here are 6 styles by Ann Taylor LOFT that range in price from $29 to $59. These 6 styles are specifically designed for petites at amazing prices. Click on the title to bring you to the website and check out the rest of the petite line.

As requested by a client at Muskat & Brown here are a pair of leopard shoes. Wear these with a simple outfit, like a black turtleneck dress. This heel looks ferocious, but it's actually tame like a kitten. The platform sole makes is feel more like a 2" heel. Helllooo legs!

"Expump" Stuart Weitzman
3 ¼" heel
Size 5 and up
$310
Shop online at www.stuartweitzman.com

I was working Saturday at Muskat & Brown (a petite & contemporary shop in Toronto). A client of ours asked me if I knew where she could find sz. 6 leather gloves. She's been searching the entire city and still gloveless. I was happy to go on the search for her and 3 hours later I found them!

Juicy Couture
Charm Gloves
Price: $150.00

Charmed life—keep your hands warm with these playful gloves.

• Choose light pink (shown), chocolate (see below), or black.
• Gold-tone hardware.
• Buckled cuffs.
• Light pink, snowflake and signature Scottie dog charms.
• Chocolate, ice skate and oval crest charms.
• Black, snowflake and heart charms.
• All charms, 12-karat yellow gold-plated brass; removable.
• 100% leather; lining, 100% cashmere.
• Imported.

Juicy Couture
Charm Gloves
Price: $150.00
NMOF7_D4600
Canada & International Shoppers call to order 1.888.888.4757.
U.S Shoppers may order online

Jada Pinkett Smith may only be five feet tall and weigh an even 100 pounds, but she's known for her tenaciousness and opinions about everything, from the portrayal of African American's onscreen to a woman's right to have it all. Her big break came in 1991 when she was cast in the part of a college freshman on the NBC television sitcom A Different World (1987), a spin-off of The Cosby Show. She made her feature film debut two years later in Menace II Society (1993). She did not gain widespread recognition, however, until her role opposite Eddie Murphy in the remake of The Nutty Professor (1996). In addition to being in front of the camera, she has spent time behind it, directing music videos. She has also created "Maja," a line of women's T-shirts and dresses that are mostly sold through small catalogs. Jada is also currently involved as the vocalist in a Alternative metal band called Wicked Wisdom, which released a self-titled debut album on February 21, 2006. The band also toured Ozzfest in the summer of 2005 as part of the second stage lineup.

I set out to find a Petite Fashionista today...

The wrap dress is easy, carefree, comfortable and incredibly flattering on every body type. The perfect dress for petites! It highlights your best features, accentuating your curves and giving the illusion of height.

Slip one on for casual day, office, evening or even at the beach!
There is the perfect wrap dress for every occasion.

As fashion legend has it, this versatile style was brought to life in 1972 by Belgian born Diane von Furstenberg, aka DVF

The Wrap Dress is still her trademark because it stands the test of time.


The above dress is from her current collection:
Fariba Wrap Dress in Small Dentelle Powder
The Fariba in Small Dentelle Powder is an effortless way to dress up. Sleeveless off-the-shoulder wrap dress in silk jersey.
Price: $345.00. Visit www.dvf.com for more from her collection.

If DVF's price is a little too steep for your budget, you're in luck because this amazing design can be found at most major retailers and from a number of online shops, click on the title "It's a wrap" to bring you to edressme for a number of options at different price points.

Petite Fashionista's come in all shapes and sizes. Learn what looks best on your petite frame, it will make your next shopping trip easier and more fun. These are just hints, wear what makes you feel great!










1. Short torso & long legs
Make the most of your long legs and make your body look longer with short fitted jackets. Most pant styles will look great on you, but low waist trousers are best. High waists on pants and skirts should be avoided, they will make your torso look smaller. Try to wear one color on top and leave the pattern for your bottom half. Tip, try some plaid or houndstooth this season, buy it in a pant or skirt.

2. Long torso, short legs
Draw attention to your elegant upper half with this season's empire waist dresses, or a wrap dress would be divine. Wide legged trousers could make your legs look shorter. Cropped trousers are probably best avoided. Knee length skirts will elongate you if your shin bone is relatively long compared to the length of your thighs. Long line jackets can work well with your body shape, especially if you have curvy hips and thighs.

3. A size or so smaller above the waist than below
You probably feel best in a dress because pants draw attention to your widest point, your hip. When you where pants and skirts try to avoid pleats You may have delicate shoulders, if so show them off with strappy and sleeveless tops. Darker skirts and pants can be visually slimming, giving a more proportionate look.

4. Large Bust with narrower hips and thighs
Unless you really want to draw attention to your bust, avoid horizontal stripes. Sleeveless tops are not the most flattering, instead try three quarter length sleeves flatter the arms. Keep tops and shirts sleek and fitted, with a V neckline, avoid a high neck. Narrower hips and thighs can mean that trousers and skirts cut for a curvier figure don fit you. Try wide legged pants and long skirts which might not look so good on other petite shapes.

The perfect pair of denim by Joe's Jeans

Provacateur Petite Jean

Petite Fashionistas get ready to cause whiplash, these jeans are exactly what you've been looking for.

They're a petite-fit, denim boot cut pant with a higher knee break to elongate the leg. 5 pocket styling and single button closure. Monochromatic stitching detail at back pockets and moderate distressing throughout.

7.5" rise. 30" inseam.
98% cotton/2% lycra.
Dry clean or wash cold.
Imported.

Click on the Jeanious title to bring you to joeseshop.com where you can order the Provacateur

Conrad Cape has been in the fashion buisness for 40 years, you can tell that he really loves his work and never stops thinking about who his customers is. Conrad C offers part of his line for petites only, like the outfit pictured here. This Montreal based ladies' sportswear company is widely available across Canada & U.S. You'll probably find a location in your home town, really... ever heard of Amherstburg? That's my home town and I just found out that there's a store there that carries Conrad C.

They pride themselves on their easy to update wardrobe with co-ordinateds that are timeless. Their collection includes jackets, skirts, blouses and knitwear.

The Conrad C Collection is offered in regular sizes and two petite options Proportion Petite (sizes 2-18) and Proportion Petite Woman (sizes 14-24).

Now that's consumer awareness, thanks Conrad C!

The glamorous Christina Aguilera.

She is known for her powerful voice, her ability to sing acapella and for the way she reinvents her image. Take a look at the newsstand and you're guaranteed to see her rockin' at least three covers.

"As for my height, I haven't measured myself lately, but I think I'm 5'3".

We may see her soon, for the first time on the big screen to play 50's pin-up Jeanne Carmen in a biopic of her life.

However, she faces competition from established Hollywood actresses, including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Scarlett Johansson, to secure the role.

Carmen, now 76, was known as the "queen of the B-movies" in the 50's. The beautiful blonde actress, whose look was similar to screen legend Marilyn Monroe, starred in a host of low-budget films, including 'Untamed Youth' and 'The Three Outlaws'.

Carmen had an intriguing personal life. She was friends with the late Frank Sinatra, legendary rocker Elvis Presley, US President John F. Kennedy and Monroe.

I think she would be amazing in that role, what about you?

Once upon a time, twenty five years ago America's big department stores discovered the petite woman. These big department stores, who ran the direction of the fashion industry by what they buy, started a new trend. They fell in love with the petite woman and gave her a special clothing size and entire department. The designers began to take notice...


But wait...."Excuse me shop girl where did the petite department go?"


As you may of noticed, this great love affair has passed. The most influential fashion meccas - Neiman Marcus, Saks and Bloomingdales have phased out of their petite departments in the past year making long time shoppers plain old MAD.

When the highest levels of American retail stop ordering petite lines this effects the entire industry, leaving designers to stop producing petite fashion because their biggest accounts have stopped ordering.

Here's where it gets really juicy, the execs at these 3 big stores said that their decision was based on poor sales of petite sizes, did their customer grow? They reasoned that petite women would rather wear more youthful and contemporary clothing. But they graciously pointed out, there is always tailoring, gee thanks.

So, let's see what happened here. Twenty five years ago say their customer was 30, now she is 55. She's still shopping however, this is why petite clothes looks like their for grandma's--because she is. These sophisticated mama's still need clothes, they don't want to wear Eileen Fisher from 3 years ago.

These hip department stores want to be current and fashionable, so they phased out their petite department. What they have done is pissed off a huge part of their business and haven't replaced it. Instead of catering to the average height which is 5'4, we now have to go out of our way to make their clothes fit us.

The petite department should have expanded not be eliminated. They had loyal shoppers for 25 years, who now have daughters who need clothes....Hint--she's probably short too.

Here's an idea guys, bring back contemporary petite lines. What? There aren't enough in the market? I'm sure that if you say you want to buy, designers will be gladly be inviting you to their petite showroom. Isn't that what labels like Calvin Klein & Donna Karen did 25 years ago?

Why don't you just sew yourself a perfect fitting staple to your wardrobe?

The everyday mix it up suit. I know, pinstripes seem so painfully petite, but guess what ladies THEY WORK! Some of the pinstripes run vertically and some are slanted, accentuating all the right places. Sew this suit yourself or pick up the pattern, buy the fabric, cut out the fabric and bring it to a great tailor or seamstress. It would cost you less then any designer suit and it will be worth the time and effort.

Here is the pattern number:
125 Jacket
126 Skirt
from Burda World of Fashion 10/2006

Try your local Fabricland or buy online

Good Luck

They're small, proud and they get noticed!

I'm talking about Tamiece!

Sheen and Pam Borja are bringing a fresh petite line to the market. Their name, Tamiece which is derived from the Tagalog (Filipino) word tamis, which is short for sweet. We at Petite Fashionista are short and your clothes are definitely sweet. Tamiece is stylish contemporary clothing that prides itself on its ability to think outside the mentality of traditional petite clothing lines. You will look like you stepped off a runway without a visit to your seamstress. For more info visit www.tamiece.com and available at online shop www.indieshopper.com

Keep it coming Sheen & Pam!

Christa Jean MacLellan
5'2 and standing tall

Reese Witherspoon

Muskat Brown
2528 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON
416-489-4005
Open daily.

They carry high-end casual and evening shoes in sizes 4 to 71/2 from Stuart Weitzman, Donald Pliner and Hugo Boss' Orange Label. Plus designer fashions for petite women as well as regular sizes. Coats, suits, separates and eveningwear in petite sizes. Lines include Hugo Boss’ Orange Label, Elie Tahari, Vince, Robert Rodriguez, Seven, Paige, and Velvet.

*For anyone who can't make it to Toronto, call them and let them know what you're looking for, they'd be happy to help!

Hello Petite Fashionistas!

I am developing this blog because I am a petite woman 5'2 to be exact and I have always had to alter my clothing or shop in the juniors. I just want to buy contemporary grown up clothes ready to wear, without dressing to old (from the grandma petite's) or like a little tart (from the juniors).
There is a lack in the industry of ready to wear petite fashions for the contemporary woman. I am 24 and I want to dress sophisticated, stylish and a bit sexy.

For every petite woman out there it is my mission to investigate clothes that fit!