International Dwarf Fashion Show to Challenge Beauty Standards

The founder, Myriam Chalek aims to make the fashion industry more inclusive and diverse.

Crushing stereotypes with runway fashion.

(Photo: Ruptly/Altered by The Quint)

Sixth edition of the International Dwarf Fashion Show challenged beauty standards within and outside the fashion industry in Paris on Tuesday.

Founded by French Designer Myriam Chalek, it aims to make the runway more diverse and inclusive in its views and beauty measures pertaining to models.

The whole idea came from kind of reversing the diktats of beauty. I’ve been working in the fashion industry for 10 years now, and the requirement is always the same — tall and skinny.  

Myriam Chalek, Founder, Dwarf Fashion Show 

The fashion show displays clothes and trendy outfits for the little women community, who often have to resort to shopping in the kids’ section.

I was in the store shopping for this non-profit organisation and this lady in the kids section was very frustrated by the fact that she couldn’t find clothes that fit her body as a grown woman. That’s how me and my team met, discussed and decided to create the World’s first Dwarf Fashion Show back in 2014.

Myriam Chalek, Founder, Dwarf Fashion Show 

All the models for the show measured not more than 1.30 metres in height and had a great time displaying their skills on the runway.

I never thought I would be able to do anything like this. But yes, it’s definitely an exciting opportunity and I’m really grateful for being a part of the show.

Pardis, Model

Previously, the show has taken place in Japan, Dubai and New York.

Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj