One of the most famous petit models, with a height of only 158 cm, is undermining the stereotypes of the fashion system, opening up a unique perspective in the entire body positivity movement.

L'OFFICIEL ITALIA: We know that you started modeling when you were a teenager, now you are 21 years old. Have you noticed any changes in the attitude of fashion professionals towards petite models since you started your career? ARINA MAKSIMOVA: The industry has changed a lot in recent years. New developments and a focus on body positivity have started to appear. When I started, thinness was ubiquitous and at the time it was inconceivable that <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/fashion/plus-size-boutiques-shop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plus size</a> models could work in anything other than a weight loss commercial, luckily the world is changing now. Unfortunately, however, even nowadays, when you hear about body positivity, you immediately start thinking about <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/beauty/ozempic-of-nature-meet-the-tiktok-weight-loss-trend" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weight</a>, but never about height. However, the plus-size movement laid the groundwork to start building the petite modeling wave. Right now my main goal, on a social level, is to change people's conception of body positivity. I'm trying to explain that it should be a topic that is primarily about the things you can't change in yourself, no matter how hard a person tries, you can't change the height or the color of one's body. The fact that you're not tall enough in someone's point of view doesn't make them less beautiful or less talented, even if the <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/fashion/transgender-models" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fashion industry</a> isn't expecting that just yet. A more professional goal is to explain to brands that the average height of women in the world is less than 165cm, and that there are billions of people who cannot wear standard clothes comfortably, because they are mainly made of different heights. So if you're a big brand that has influence and you don't focus on these kinds of issues in 2023, that's a shame. Some brands have finally started releasing clothing lines for plus-size people, but it's no longer enough to proudly say that they're a brand that champions diversity. So now I'm working for the same thing to happen to people who are smaller in stature as well. I want brands to notice petite people and I will do everything to get new sizes of clothes, as well as to have petite models proudly parade and be positioned next to tall ones on billboards.

The fact that you&#39;re not tall enough in someone&#39;s point of view doesn&#39;t make them less beautiful or less talented, even if the fashion industry isn&#39;t expecting that just yet.

LOI: As a petite model, do you find it difficult to find clothes and brands that fit your height? AM: The size "10 years" from Dior looks great on me. I'm not complaining, they definitely make trendy clothes for kids, but every time I want to buy something from the adult section I have to fit it, and it takes time, so if you don't have a few extra days to wait for it to be fixed or you don't have the opportunity to give it to tailor, your life becomes really inconvenient. Either you go to the kidswear section, which some brands don't have, or you buy something that doesn't fit you. I intend to create collaborative clothing lines or add collaborative sizes with big brands, in order to influence others. This will make the lives of millions of people happier and easier.
LOI: Besides your height, what other qualities and skills do you feel have contributed to your success as a model? AM: Definitely my <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/soul-spirituality/12-zodiac-signs-and-their-personality-traits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">communication skills</a> and the conviction of doing something really useful for society. I never get tired of repeating that my job mainly consists not in shooting and other modeling assignments, but rather in negotiations with professionals in the sector, in creating files with the data I obtained from them, in scheduling meetings with whoever is interested and in flying to different countries to forge significant collaborations. I also work as a producer, agent and booker at the same time, but I do it for myself. Even if it takes a lot more energy and time to coordinate everything, for me it is still better than working only as a mannequin, when the only thing you have to do is show up for the casting and then on set, do everything they tell you and walk away. Having experienced both, I can definitely say that the second option is easier, but the way I've chosen to work shapes my personality in every possible way, so it's worth it.

I&#39;m not one to openly show my daily life, I like my privacy and will try to keep it as long as possible

LOI: How do you handle the pressure and attention that comes with being in the spotlight as a successful petite model? AM: Frankly, I hate <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/soul-spirituality/finding-freedom-in-a-curated-world-understanding-and-surviving-the-social-media-g" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social media</a>, I understand these platforms help promote various kinds of ideas, but you have to stay active to do that. I'm not one to openly show my daily life, I like my privacy and will try to keep it as long as possible. So, my secret to calmness is simple: just don't be in the public eye with the regularity that always generates stress.

<div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;">Model Arina Maksimova @arina.maks Photo ALENA NIKIFOROVA @sunny_blossom Styling NADINA SMIRNOVA @nadinasmirnova Make up and hair SAMIRA ALIYEVA @samira.muah_ Photo assistant MATVEY RODIONOV @matveyrodionov Styling assistant DORA KAZACHEK @dora_kazachek Styling assistant OLYA ZEMCOVA @olya_zemcova Make-up assistant ANGELINA FEDCHENKO</div>

The Only One: Arina Maksimova

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