Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marissa Rose. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Marissa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Being in the creative industry means taking massive risks. When I was attending college was around the same time I began my modeling career. I booked my first modeling job as the first 4’11 petite runway model when I was 17 years old. When I was 17 I also began college that same year I debuted in NYFW. I was a Division I athlete and I was attending business school. Being a Division I athlete is incredibly time-consuming, and I was still trying to juggle this modeling career that I had just started. I remember one time I walked in NYFW and had to leave as soon as I walked the runway to head over to one of my matches. As a Division I athlete, you just can’t miss matches, this is almost like a full-time job in and of itself. Being a Division I athlete was a dream of mine that I was so thrilled to achieve, I had to make the incredibly hard decision to think of what truly made me happy. While playing soccer gave me so much happiness and taught me so many lessons on and off the pitch, I knew that I was more interested in the fashion world and that unfortunately playing soccer wouldn’t be part of my future. So I felt as though I had to let go of this part of my life to chase something that I saw a real future in. This doesn’t mean I didn’t love soccer, as this couldn’t be further from the truth, but I knew my time as an athlete was coming to an end. I ended up quitting my soccer team after my first year as a Division I athlete to further pursue my new modeling career. I also left the secure route of following a comfortable career path with the business degree I would have received from this school. I took the risk, quit playing soccer, and left my college to attend fashion school instead. For months I felt lost, as I didn’t know a life where I wasn’t going to practice every day- I had so much free time and it made me very uncomfortable. I missed playing soccer, I missed my team, and I missed the structure this sport gave my life. By taking this risk I was able to let my career in the modeling/fashion world flourish, although I knew this wouldn’t be easy in a fashion industry that is dominated by being tall.
Looking back on this pivotal moment in my life, I now see how important this decision was, as I know you don’t grow when you are comfortable. I was able to grow so much after I fully stepped into this new chapter of my life- following this new career path, one that was not so comfortable all the time, but one that was so fulfilling. I have been able to encourage so many individuals so far to follow all they dream of. I have created so much positive change within the modeling/fashion space, and I wouldn’t have been able to if I hadn’t taken the risk of following my dreams. No matter how scary it might have seemed, as the modeling/fashion world is not very accepting of petite individuals. If there is something about me, I love a challenge, I love to prove people wrong, and I am not one to give up. I think I can thank soccer for these attributes. In 2018 I mentioned in an interview I wanted to start a Fashion Revolution, and I have. I encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone, and take risks. You don’t grow when you are comfortable. Remember hard work, dedication, and passion will never steer you wrong, and in this, I think you can find comfort that everything will be okay and to follow all you dream of. You don’t want to be 70 years old and wondering what your life could have been had you taken the risk to follow what truly makes you happy.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started my career as a runway model when I was 17 years old. My first modeling job was at New York Fashion Week. I saw a casting one day, and I figured I minus well try, right? I didn’t know anything about the modeling world, but I knew I loved acting and singing, and that those worlds somewhat intertwined with the fashion industry. I also grew up watching America’s Next Top Model, and I would practice my posing and runway walk, so I guess it was destiny!
Fast forward to me seeing the NYFW casting, I eagerly told my mom about it, and she said “Marissa I love you, but you’re 4’11.” My mom is my absolute biggest fan, but in 2018 you just did not see short models on the runway. My mom didn’t want me to be heartbroken about not being accepted. I went on to submit myself for the casting because my thought process is “if you never try, you’ll never know.” I had booked my first job at 17 years old and 4’11…New York Fashion Week!
I remember the day like it was yesterday. My show fell on my mom’s birthday that year, and wow did she tell me that was a birthday to remember! I had so many emotions I didn’t know really what to do as this was my first job as a model, not only a model but a PETITE model in a not-so-inclusive fashion industry.
After that day, I realized just how stubborn the fashion industry was/is. I knew I needed to be the voice that pushed for inclusivity within the fashion industry. I’m so proud to be the First 4’11 Petite Runway model, but I’m even more proud to be creating a space for petite individuals to feel seen and heard within the fashion industry. I want to fight for us petites now, so one day there won’t be an argument as to why petites aren’t accepted in the fashion industry.
Today, I have walked in 13 seasons of Fashion Week, and I don’t plan on stopping. I have walked in NYFW 7 times, PFW twice, Miami Swim Week twice, and both London and LA FW once. As well as I am advocating for positive change in the fashion industry through Height Revolution (@heightrevolution), where I am one of the Founders leading a Revolution in fashion. Through Height Revolution, we repost inclusive castings, share tips about the modeling industry, highlight petite brands/models, and call out performative modeling agencies and casting directors. But most importantly, we are a community. We are standing up and speaking out about just how ridiculous it is to base “standards” on uncontrollable factors such as one’s height.
In terms of what services I provide, what brings me so much happiness is teaching others how they can do it too! I offer modeling classes specifically tailored to each client’s dreams and aspirations. This makes each session so unique and special. I cover a range of topics and no two sessions are ever the same. These 1-on-1 sessions take place over Zoom and cost $45 for a 35-minute session. I have met so many incredible individuals through my classes, and I am so happy to see individuals that I have taught break into the modeling industry themselves, it brings me so much joy.
Here is the link to sign up for my 1-on-1 sessions, I can’t wait to help you achieve your modeling dreams! https://calendly.com/marissa-modeling-classes
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Early on in my career when I was 18, I had a horrible experience during Paris Fashion Week. The worst treatment I have ever faced while modeling. I was booked for Paris Fashion Week and was the First 4’11 Petite Model to open a show during PFW. I was absolutely over the moon. I felt like I was taking every opportunity to showcase petite individuals in the fashion world and running with those opportunities! The front row was filled with press from; Vogue, Marie Claire magazine, and Elle magazine, amongst many others, so I knew how big this moment was. Next came my other show in Paris, and I was meant to open this show again! I was standing in the lineup moments before opening this next show when I looked over to the casting director who was staring at me, looking me up and down. Then the casting director approached me and said “you’re not 18.” And I said, “yes I am 18” (because Paris Fashion Week has strict age requirements for runway shows and what can be worn). The casting director proceeds to say “not with a body like that, maybe with a body like hers” *the casting director points to another model*. The casting director proceeds to not let me walk causing a whole scene about my body in front of everyone. The casting director then said, “get backstage I don’t want any photographers to see you and take photos of you.”
I was completely distraught, I had never experienced this treatment in the industry before, and I was left crying and feeling very upset about how someone could be so awful speaking about one’s body in this way. I remember feeling extremely disappointed and embarrassed. Disappointed that I wasn’t able to continue to spread the message that petite models exist, especially while at a fashion week where no one was remotely short, as Paris is very strict on this standard. I felt the more coverage the better, as I was making a statement. As an 18-year-old fresh in the fashion industry, I was very stunned by the behavior I received particularly during this occasion (though I always have people hating on me because I’m petite in this industry). However instead of quitting- there is one thing about me that I am not. I’m not a quitter, and I love to prove people wrong. The next year I was casted in Paris Fashion Week again, regardless of the awful experience I had, because I knew this had to be done. I faced the same casting director who belittled me the season previously, and resiliently held my ground and proved I deserved to walk the runway. And I did, I rose to the occasion because I knew it had to be done. In the process, I also got to prove an awful casting director wrong. I chose to be resilient and show up for the petite community, and I am so proud to be the First 4’11 Petite Runway model to open a show during Paris Fashion Week. No matter how difficult this show was for me, it was an important step and I hope to pave a path in the fashion world where petite individuals one day won’t have to fight as hard as me to make it in this industry. I want other petite models to be able to walk into a casting and not feel belittled because of their height, and I won’t stop until this is the case.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
As mentioned, I want the next generation of petite models to not have the same struggles I have had. Not only is being successful in the creative industry difficult, but being successful in a creative industry that has such crazy standards is insane. Could you imagine your height being a determining factor as to why you can’t achieve something? Your height- something one can’t control is the main factor as to why individuals face the inability to become successful in the modeling industry. Not factors such as your personality, how you light up a room, how passionate, determined, punctual, and driven you are- this means nothing to the modeling world when you are petite. This is such a shame, the amount of talent the fashion world is missing out on is unfathomable. But petite power is here and it’s here to stay, and we’re only getting louder. If you’re petite and you want to model, I encourage you to be fearless and follow those dreams. Call out height requirements on agency, casting directors, and designers’ social media pages. Attend castings that have height requirements, this is a fashion revolution! We won’t stop until our voices are heard, and even then we won’t stop. Changing the modeling industry for good is what keeps me driven.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://calendly.com/marissa-modeling-classes
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissa_rose_a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marissa_rose_a/featured
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marissa_rose_a
Image Credits
The image of me on the runway in the black tube top and pants was taken by Patrick Cox.