Comments on: A perfect fit model

By: Beverly Kingwood

Beverly Kingwood — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:22:01 +0000

I was a Fit Model for Simplicity pattern company when they were located on Madison Avenue in New York. At that time I was a full time student at FIT studying fashion design. When I went for the interview they measured me and I was hired (size 10 was there standard size). I worked full time was stationed in the patternmaking department. It was a awesome experience. Whenever there was a new style produced for simplicity pattern co. I fitted the garment in and the designers and head patternmake would be there for the fitting. While in that position I was able to learn many things from the patternmakers who were really so talented. I had never modeled before or desired to model.

By: Shermane Fouche

Shermane Fouche — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:07:32 +0000

A quick reference is a great chapter in a book one of my students picked up, title;”Runway Runaway” by lorelei Shellist. She was a fit model for Geoffrey Beane in the 80’s. Old school Designer, and a true industry overview of how “old school” worked with fit models. On the personal side, I draped for a Jr’s company in Paris. We used the Stockman Mannequin, (Stockman is an Haute Couture mannequin) and it did not repreesent our target market. Our fitting model was then a darling girl with no bust and a bit more of a derriere, solid and muscular. We were CONSTANTLY remaking everything 2,3 and 4 times before it was sampled, then refitting the sample, CRAZY!

By: Natasha Duswalt

Natasha Duswalt — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:00:30 +0000

Finding the proper fit for any clothing company is critical to the success of that brand.
Many models seem to fit a range of sizes, a size 4 contemporary could also be a size 5 juniors.
With the fit ranging from company to company, it is important to know what measurements a client is seeking as the label can vary depending on their definition of size vs. measurements.

If you’re looking for a reputable and reliable source for fit models in the LA FIT MARKET, please visit my site.

By: Fit Models L.A.

Fit Models L.A. — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:50:02 +0000

FOr more information please check out our site. We specialize in the L.A. Fit market. http://www.fit-models.com

By: Natasha Duswalt

Natasha Duswalt — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:14:15 +0000

As a former fit model working for over 10 years fitting garments, and now owning the top fit model agency in the Los Angeles area, I can tell you things are changing.

The truth is, each company finds the model that best suits their customer. Some of the national brands that we all buy like Target, Walmart, etc will fit a little more generous taking the whole country in to account. Some of the high end designer lines might fit a little smaller taking into account the ideal of their customer. Either way, a fit model is critical to the production of the companies garments. Many of my clients ask that the fit models they hire through Peak Models & Talent remain loyal to their brand. It is imperative that models use discretion when fitting with multiple lines, not to divulge any design or fit secrets of their other clients.

With so much at stake for a company it is critical that they find an agency that has experience dealing with fit models, not to waste time. We have had so man clients come to us and thank us for sending the proper size range of models for their castings. Of course there is always the model that gains or looses weight, but we are all human. The human element is why fit models are so important to any manufacturer. There is no substitute for human feedback, at the end of the day, if you produce a garment and it has not been properly fit, you will be stuck with the goods, on the other hand if it fits, you have a reorder!

By: Christina Cato

Christina Cato — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:43:02 +0000

I’ve worked with fit models at a very well known company. In the time that I worked for them we went through 4 different fit models. We were also working on an identity crisis with understanding out customer. Once it was determined who she was the fit model was replaced with someone that would better fit that ideal. It is not a general ideal or a an average. It is specific to the woman that buys this line of clothing. Through constant customer feedback the fit is refined and if needed the fit model is changed.

The clothes certainly don’t fit everyone (I couldn’t wear them), but the customers that can wear them are extremely loyal. The fit is the “signature” of the industry. I think it’s very clever to keep that a secret and to keep it unique. It ensures that the loyal customers remain loyal.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:06:29 +0000

i was a fit model for the oldest jeans brand in the US. the way the designer in the article described it is not how it works for large scale production, though it’s probably close to reality for small DE or premium denim houses. true there is usually one main fit model for a particular category, ie, missy, jr, womens, etc. but there will always be multiple fittings with groups of 3 to 7 fit models who all measure within the tolerance limits for the garment size being fitted. this allows for designers to see how women with the same measurements, but different body mass distributions, fit into the same garment. also to see how someone with measurements at the +/- edge of tolerance fits the garment.

By: dosfashionistas

dosfashionistas — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:46:31 +0000

A few thoughts on developing your fit. A few years ago the company I worked for decided to start making petite sizes. I was on a committee of 3 to establish the fit of our garments.

Our first step was to look up several size charts from various petite lines and see what they thought a petite size 8 should measure. Then we purchased garments (3 or 4 of the same type from different labels, as basic as possible)and measured them.

Now there is a petite fit model in Dallas with a very good reputation (and she did fit closely with the measurements we were looking for), so we already knew we would be using her. Our next step was to try the clothes we had purchased on her and see what looked good, and what didn’t. With that information and a lot of discussion, we knew what perimeters we wanted. (How long for pants legs, what waist measurement etc. There was a great deal of discussion at this point.)

Then we made up our own basic garments and again tried them on the model, and adjusted, and tried, until we had our fit established.

Our customer base was generally the older woman, so we tried for a missy fit rather than a junior fit….and I was very pleased when one buyer complimented us with the observation that we had a true missy fit.

I hope this description is helpful. Finding your fit is a combination of knowing your customer and a lot of trial and retrial. But if you can establish a fit, so that if a customer fits in one pant of yours they will fit in all of them, and if one shirt is a good fit, they all will be…then you will have customers who come into the store asking for your label.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 15:47:09 +0000

How do I become a fit model? What are the procedures and how can I get involved in the business?

By: JLewis

JLewis — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 22:56:02 +0000

Does anyone have any ideas on how you would begin a career as a fit model. For women of various sizes from size 4 to 8 of a 5′3 height with big legs and glutes.