Heightism in Fashion: Breaking the Invisible Barrier of Height Discrimination

The fashion industry has long been the stage upon which society’s ideals of beauty, aspiration, and status are performed. For decades, conversations about diversity have rightfully centred on race, gender, size, age, and ability. Yet, there is one form of bias that continues to operate largely unchallenged within the fashion system: heightism.

Heightism refers to the subtle and systemic favouring of taller bodies as the cultural ideal, often at the expense of shorter individuals. While conversations about inclusivity in fashion have gained momentum, height bias remains the invisible prejudice: unspoken, underreported, and largely unaddressed. This oversight has far-reaching consequences, not just for representation on the runway, but for the way millions of consumers interact with fashion on a daily basis.

The Hidden Bias: Why Are Models So Tall in Fashion?

Historically, height has been associated with authority, power, and even desirability across cultures. In fashion, this bias has been amplified and codified into the very mechanics of the industry. Runways, campaigns, and editorial spreads have consistently reinforced the idea that tall is beautiful. Models between 5’9” and 6’0” for women, and 6’0” to 6’3” for men, have been deemed the industry “standard.”

The rationale was once explained through practicality: taller models created elongated silhouettes, their height allowed garments to “hang” in a way designers preferred, and photographs translated better in print and on film. But beneath these technical justifications lies a deeper cultural ideal, the aspiration of looking statuesque, elevated, larger-than-life.

For petite women and men, this bias meant exclusion. Sample sizes were cut for taller frames, meaning smaller bodies were not only left out of representation, but actively erased from design consideration.

Height Discrimination in the Fashion Industry

Unlike size or race, height discrimination in fashion has rarely been part of mainstream conversation. Why?

1. The invisibility of the bias: Unlike plus-size models who have campaigned visibly for representation, petite bodies have often been dismissed as “niche.”
2. Industry traditions: Runway shows were created for spectacle. Taller models gave drama, presence, and movement that fashion houses equated with luxury and aspiration. Challenging this format was seen as unnecessary.
3. Old mindsets: Fashion has often operated under an elitist framework, what is exclusive is aspirational. In this system, the petite consumer was left to “make do,” altering garments or avoiding certain brands entirely.
4. Lack of advocates: Until recently, very few designers or brands openly challenged heightism. Unlike the body positivity movement, there was no visible “height revolution” on the global stage.

Why Petite Women Struggle to Find Clothes That Fit

Globally, a significant percentage of women are 5’4” (163 cm) or under, and in markets like Asia, India, and parts of Europe, the average height is considerably below that. Yet, the fashion industry continued to design as though the average woman were closer to 5’9”. This disconnect created a twofold problem:

• Exclusion from imagery: Petite women rarely saw themselves represented in campaigns or editorials.
• Exclusion from product: Standard sizing failed them. Hemlines dragged, trousers pooled at the ankles, waistlines sat incorrectly, and blazers swallowed their proportions.

The result? Petite women were forced into expensive alterations or to accept poorly fitted clothing as the norm.

The House of Arti Story: Starting the Height Revolution

In 2023, a landmark moment occurred at New York Fashion Week when House of Arti became the first dedicated petite clothing brand to ever grace the runway. Founded by Arti Juglal, herself 4’9” (145 cm), the brand did more than present a collection, it redefined what representation means in fashion.

House of Arti’s runway was a celebration of proportions designed for shorter frames. Rather than shrinking standard designs, Arti engineered garments to flatter petite silhouettes. The show marked the beginning of what can only be described as a height revolution.

Arti Juglal’s philosophy is rooted in her personal experience. Having struggled her entire life to find clothing that fit, she recognised that shorter women were being systematically ignored by mainstream fashion. By establishing bespoke petite sizing guides tailored to height ranges (1.4m-1.59m/ 4'7.1"-5'2.6"), House of Arti created an entirely new system of inclusivity.

This milestone was not simply about clothing; it was a cultural statement. For the first time, petite women around the world could see themselves on the most prestigious runway stage, their bodies celebrated rather than sidelined.

Why No One Took the Initiative Before

The reluctance to address heightism stems from entrenched beliefs within fashion’s upper echelons. For decades, the system equated height with value. Even as plus-size, gender-fluid, and age-diverse representation grew, height was left out of the inclusivity agenda. Several reasons contributed:

• Market misconceptions: Brands assumed petite clothing was “less profitable” because it was considered a niche market.
• Elitism: The taller frame was synonymous with prestige and luxury. Shorter bodies were not perceived as aspirational.
• Risk aversion: Few designers wanted to disrupt the runway format by showing shorter models. There was fear of “diminishing the spectacle.”

This complacency allowed heightism to persist in silence, swept under the carpet of fashion tradition.

The Impact of Breaking Barriers

House of Arti’s debut at NYFW signals a paradigm shift. It demonstrates that:

1. There is a demand: Petite women form a massive segment of the consumer market, one that has been underestimated for decades.
2. Luxury can be inclusive: Petite-focused clothing can still embody elegance, craftsmanship, and aspiration.
3. Representation is powerful: Seeing petite models on a global runway inspires confidence, dismantling internalised height bias among consumers.
4. Change is possible: What was once “impossible” for the runway has now been proven achievable.

Toward a More Inclusive Future

For fashion to truly embody inclusivity, it must dismantle heightism with the same urgency as other biases. This requires:

• Rethinking design systems: Sample sizes must expand beyond tall frames to include petite proportions.
• Casting inclusivity: Runways and campaigns should reflect the actual diversity of height in society.
• Education: Fashion schools must integrate training on designing for varied heights, not just the traditional model standard.
• Brand leadership: Labels like House of Arti should not remain outliers; they must pave the way for an industry-wide shift.

The Future of Fashion: Designing for All Heights

Heightism in fashion has been an invisible barrier for far too long. The favouring of taller models and bodies as ideals is not just a matter of aesthetics, it is an exclusionary

practice that denies millions of consumers the opportunity to feel seen and celebrated. While the industry has taken strides toward racial, size, and gender inclusivity, height has remained its final frontier.

The emergence of House of Arti and Arti Juglal’s pioneering work has set a new precedent. By becoming the first petite brand to grace New York Fashion Week, Arti has not only broken barriers but has ignited a height revolution, one that calls into question the very foundations of fashion’s exclusivity.

For an industry that thrives on innovation and change, addressing heightism is not just overdue; it is essential. The future of fashion must be one where elegance, aspiration, and beauty are not dictated by inches, but by the diversity of human experience.