The Sartorialist

Utterly craving a parka now!

She is by no means curvy. Your perspective is flawed. Beautiful look.

For Anon 7:13
How can you say she is not curvy?

She is wearing a parka. The curves are there you just can't see them.

The earthy reds of her beauty against all that bright German greenery. And only moments before I was busy researching fishtail parkas.

Elaine

I'm loving the green with the color of her hair and lips!! Her bangs are so nice! I just love everything about this picture

I love the contrast of her skin against the background. Beautiful work.

What curves !? I don't see them. I really like the purse and how it matches her hair color. She has a pretty face but the way she is holding the cigarette needs to go. It doesn't look as classy or timeless as Audrey Hepburn does it.

She looks like a Rafaelite painting.

Europe's Taste!

She certainly is beautiful and definitely a good example of what you can make of yourself when you focus on the positive. I'm sure your guns are intimidatingly lovely, Scott!

http://tovogueorbust.blogspot.com/

you seem like a nice man but describing this model-looking person, who by the way looks 6'1 not 5'1, as an example of the everyday girl with curves isn't uplifting to the rest of us 5'1 everyday curvy girls.

I suppose she's curvy for the fashion world.

She feels earthy.. if that makes sense? Loving her hair and want those shoes.

those bangs! those lips!

Thank you. Thank you for highlighting the fact that it is all about proportion and working with your strenghts. Thank you for photographing a natural, albeit totally gorgeous girl. More please.

Love her lips and hair. Are those legs attractive now? As of 20 seconds ago, I thought that girls with muscular legs like that were unattractive? If that is incorrect, I will start wearing shorts again.

sick kicks.
which is the "Pocari Sweat post"?

P.S. YOUR BOOK IS THE SHIT.

Reddish hair will always be great with green. I should know. Natural is always best.

http://www.FashionSnag.com

Good for you not casting a 6'1 110 lb model. Us normal girls get awful sick of watching the skeleton parade!

she reminds me so much of Lara Stone!

Ha ha, you think this girl is curvy? I'm glad she's normal sized and not a stick, but your time in fashion has skewed your perspective if you think she's curvy. Words mean things.

She exudes a bit an attitude that says "badass." I love it!

OMG folks. She's not that gorgeous:)

Oh hell yes. We would love to see the "guns"!!

she has the most gorgeous hair & fringe. @ Adrienne, I also have cowlicks (what a wonderful description) thus rendering wonderful sweeping fringes impossible, Oh well! Lucy Laucht

d'accord, scott…we should celebrate our imperfections – it is what makes us uniquely 'us'!

Yeah, I am glad you are able to appreciate her curves but the rest of us only see what the coat allows us to see (not much!)… prove you love her curves (and not just her lovely face) by showing us something that showcases them!

i love her hair and her lips – very edgy. She doesnt look like a 5'1 tho..Isnt 5'1 like just over 160cm? That would definitely make me feel good about myself!

Another lovely shot. This gal's look is timeless and ageless; with or without curves; any height. Gorgeous.
L. x x

NOTE: when i called your book "the shit" earlier, I meant it in the positive sense of "shit". Being an intimate of Kanye West, I assume you caught my drift, shawty. But I figure, better be safe. AKA I'M CRAZY ABOUT YOUR BOOK MAN, AND YOUR BLOG DUDE. YOU ROCK MAN.

But seriously, totally inspiring.

she is really gorgeous!

She reminds me of Angelea from America's Next Top Model, either way… love her style ;)

I love her face. Such strong features yet feminine as well. I love those shoes!!!!

i love how she doesn't care….smoking and everything…simply realistic !!

I am so glad you posted this. Just yesterday someone asked me if I still follow The Sartorialist, to which I replied, "yes, but unfortunately I'm not thin enough to pull off any of the looks he posts." I have plenty of great features, and you've inspired me to focus on them and not on the things that I can't control (like my 5'2" height!).

see my curves at http://www.sheenazadeh.com

I'm so happy to hear that such a creative mind can turn to girls that are not necesarily 5'10. It just goes to show that art can be found even in the smallest packages. This definitely made my day.

she looks nonchalantly beautiful. she's gorgeous. can't believe she's just 155 cm. i think she's much taller than that!

take a walk into my fashion atelier :)

There is something about her that resembles Carla Bruni

Curvy or not she's still gorgeous… especially her hair, it's so perfect!

She made the most of her name, her hair, outfit, her confidence. Her flaws (if any) are irrelevant.

xx Cristina

Oh, god. The boots! The leggings! The Jumper, the Parka! My alternative youth is alive and well!

Don't quite get the curvy angle though.

Yay for short people. Now for short male models!
What shoes are those? They are fabulous.

rien qu'en regardant la photo on sait que c'est une allemande!

I agree with jenniferanne, what is so imperfect about being 5'1" and "curvy"? Her body is only imperfect against the standards you are imposing. I think I understand that you were trying to make a positive post about body image, but it came across really negative.

-Harriet

sure she's cute, but i agree with some that i don't see why you emphasize curves when you don't even see them!!! If she was wear something a little more form fitting to show off her curves in addition to her already great features then i'd comprehend a little bit better. But all you see is a cute girl in layered heavy garments sitting and smoking…. and btw i love to see curvy women embrace their shapes in a (good way that is)…

I hate that using a girl who is not really thin and tall is such a big deal- it should be the norm to see any kind of girl as a model, thin or otherwise. But appreciate what you're doing. Love her shoes, coat and nice thick hair.

I want her boots!!!

Being a hairdresser for so many years,I often scratch below the surface of what make people come alive, and what makes them feel low. I find every time, when I only express the assets,it's the calm in the storm. I appreciate your sincerity. Well said and well done. Best of the best for your shoot.
Maria

what jenniferanne said….. this is simply a beautiful, edgy typical berlin style girl. she rocks.

beutifull & simple style!

this post makes me kind of sad… who is perfect?? what is perfect?? if there exists any kind of perfection in this world, she sure is very close to it… difficult to find samples that fit?! sad… she is a queen!

My first comment here though I have been following you with admiration for months.
I've always loved the way you are able to see people and this one just makes me so happy. Making the advantages bigger than defaults or conveying defaults into perfections… In a world where perfection and appearance are obsessions you highlight attitudes. Thanks for that. And I might come to see you on Monday in Netherlands, I'll be honoured.

Lovely story and she is beautiful.

"you seem like a nice man but describing this model-looking person, who by the way looks 6'1 not 5'1, as an example of the everyday girl with curves isn't uplifting to the rest of us 5'1 everyday curvy girls."

I have to second this. ):

I like my ladies real. Just like Claude. I don't need no supermodel with no curves, 6'1" and 70 LBS…

love the attitude…

she really soes look great…i am so jealous of that perfect pout!
you know how to pick the ones that count!

http://fashionizin.blogspot.com/

She's gorgeous! Smouldering! What a natural beauty. I love that you cast her.

Or you could get one of those T-shirts with 'Ladies, get your tickets to the gun show' emblazoned on it…!
She's a very beautiful, striking girl, and I totally agree with the sentiment of playing to your strengths.
http://cocojones.tumblr.com/

Beautiful shot, except the cigarette..
It's funny – her name is Claudia and yours is Scott – and this woman looks so much like a norwegain singer, although probably less than half her age.
The singers name? Claudia Scott! – have a look:
http://www.claudiascott.com/

I'm sorry but she seems to me an "everyday girl" in a top model world! She' s not exactly the girl of the neighbour door.

What a wonderful post!!! Seriously!! I did want to say something (apologies it is long, but you really inspired me!). Having given up smoking I have found my body is changing shape (not hugely, but it definitely is). From being very skinny I have now developed a nice womanly posterior, and my arms no longer are twiglike. And I really love it!

However, I did become quite self-conscious and somewhat down in terms of my body not fitting its normal UK size 8-10. I am now a UK size 12 according to H & M. Which seems to have started to cut its clothes very small, which made me feel very unhappy.

But I decided that was ridiculous, people say I look great and I feel healthy, and it means an opportunity to learn an almost new way of dressing.

So therefore thank you for this lovely post. Often we as women are so victimised, and pressured to look good and skinny etc. But as you say, and your wonderful blog always emphasises, it is all about individuality and personal style! Long may they live!!

S

'Curves are NOT imperfections. This girl is insanely beautiful and using her as example of "making the most" of an "imperfect" body is completely absurd.'

Completely agree with Jennifer Anne. This is one of the most beautiful women I have seen on your site, and that is saying a lot! I didn't even register that she was larger and shorter than your average model. That should not be interpreted as a testament to how successfully she has hidden her 'imperfect' figure but rather the irrelevance of these things to her beauty. She is real (as all women, even skinny ones, are) but she is not everyday.

Drop dead gorgeous. I do hope you'll post some photos from the shoot of this stunning girl. Yes, accentuate the positive… More and more I endeavor to be mindful and appreciative of my great health and strong body and mind; without without which one has nothing. Show off those guns!!

I need to speak up, and agree with the wispy chorus of people who point out the condescending, skewed perspective of this post. You imply that you selected this young woman *despite* her curves and *despite* her height and *despite* these "flaws" because she has other assets and features to offset them.

Nothing is wrong with her frame. Screw your sample sizes. I find it contradictory to basic common sense that the fashion industry doesn't make a larger sample size to tailor in per each individual. Aren't you all supposed to be capable of, I don't know, sewing?

I have been following your blog for the past six months and until now, I really looked up to you as someone with unique and insightful takes on the world. Today I'm disappointed, and feel that you may very well be on the fringe of the shallow and narrow-minded fashion niche that wields its influence in a manner that often proves very damaging for the self-image of impressionable young people.

I?m happy to see someone that is 5?1? here. I?m also short, and feel most of the time excluded just because I?m not 5?10?!

Scott, thank you so much for highlighting this beautiful young lady today! I am always so happy to see the fashion community embrace a diversity of shapes…isn't that what it's all about anyway…something different and new, individual and unique…I love it and can't wait to see more!

http://www.hilaryinspired.com

perfect bangs, killer shoes.

she beautiful but i also like the army jacket&the boots.

Beautiful and mysterious. It's encouraging to hear that you are using a smaller woman in an ad. As a petite woman myself, I always remind myself that it is proportion–not just height–that matters…and attitude matters even more.

CurveSmart: most straight men give their opinion that clothes are better when they show off the curves.

Agreed to a lot of people on here: the only imperfection in this shot is that she covered up her curves. Where's a Mad Men-esque dress when you need one?

Cool! I can totally relate to this, for when a girl knows her best feature… She will most likely stand out than be a commoner! PS I don't wear anything aside from lipstick and everyone can;t get over it!!

She is Amazingly Gorgeous. Claude definitely knows how to tease the camera w/ her beauty..slightly puckered lips hair dangling in her face..This shot almost looks natural

Since Claude is a model, I would assume that the 5'1" height is an imperfection, which is just what he means. She plays up her best assets perfectly, namely the hair and mouth. Enough already about not being able to see the curves, he says they're there, period.

She reminds me of so many models from the 80s. Just lovely.

hi scott u r awesome. great post. very pretty girl.

Curves are imperfections? Only if the standard by which we judge is one guided by an industry that operates on a very narrow definition of beauty.

It's wonderful seeing someone petite (in height, of course) on your blog. I, too, am very small (5') with a womanly figure … Trying to find clothes that flatter can be a challenge, but it's so rewarding when you do. Thanks, Scott!

I can see her legs unless she is totally out of proportion she is not curvy by any real definition. The average size woman is the US is a 14. Your prospective has been warped by your proximity to fashion people and models. You show woman, many of whom look like they have an eating disorder and are starving themselves. I myself am a size 4 and people like you who throw in a "normal" curvy girl but mostly perpetuate these unrealistic standards of double 00 warp healthy people like myself who eat normal and workout to stay fit and healthy. You should show more regular people of all sizes. I should add that unlike most people in fashion you do show more of a variety. But until this unattainable standard is discontinued and glorified, women will keep killing themselves to achieve it. Please be more responsible.

Haha! Your guns. Hilarious. She is beautiful. I really appreciate this post because I myself obsess about the negatives at times and am built like her – but tall.

It's nice to see a curvy girl in the fashion industry (I love Crystal Renn). Yes, we must enjoy and highlight the beautiful bits and be happy. Highlight guns, gam and buns galore! :)

MORE of these women, PLEASE! Especially if the photo actually shows the curves. Also, is it possible to get a bigger version of this picture? I want to zoom in on her face and other details like her bag and shoes.

I don't think Sart means that he himself is calling 'Curviness' an imperfection – rather he is reflecting on how society/media/fashion only ravishes those with taller, anorexic physiques.

The girl is hidden under a coat… she may have a bust big enough that she considers it a flaw, she may have horrible batwing arms (like I do lol) – to her, she is merely covering those parts she doesn't like up and exposing the ones she does (ie, legs, face, etc).

Unfortunately, we can't see (let's face it, JUDGE) her to see whether she fits our ideal of curvy but we have to take Sart's word on it.

** for the record, I think a lot of people are mistaking "CURVY" with "PLUS-SIZE" – Curvy, in my definition, means having an hour glass figure. It doesn't mean she's overweight or fat, and clearly we can see she is neither of those things.

PS I hate smoking as much as the next person but COME ON PEOPLE get off your PC-wagon. It's Europe, they smoke, deal with it! Doesn't mean YOU have to smoke. And to be honest, I didn't even notice her cigarette (I was trying to find her curves :P)

All for the embracing imperfections message – this site is exemplary at showing the beauty of individuality. Not sure I'm interpreting this right, but having some trouble with the "curves" equals imperfection equation. Would this extremely beautiful girl be less beautiful if her (curvy, large, fat?) body part(s) weren't all covered up? I doubt it.

God, I love it! Everything's great…and her haircut-amazing!

The (im)Perfect Harmony

I love her boots! Great look.

As Olympia Dukakis said in "Moonstruck", what you don't know about women. You think they are curves? Mr. S, you need to meet a curvy woman. Jacket or no jacket, believe me, she is not a curvy woman. Musha!

I see what you mean – I honestly thought she was your regular model when I just saw the photo, because she seemed to be tall and gorgeous. I am stunned to realize she's just 5'1, especially since I am 5'3… Wow, just wow. I really want to say thanks for not just posting this picture but for giving us more info – it truly is so good to know a "regular" girl is making a real shoot somewhere. And by regular girl I mean not going to the extremes here – just like I don't think it is right to have to be too thin to be a model, I don't think it is right to be unreasonably chubby. There are thousands of healthy girls out there whose bodies are just right for their height. THANK YOU

As a 5'2"-er, I appreciate the look and the curves. Amazing how a "regular girl" can look so chic.

OMG!!! all the anonymous answers are so judgemental wether she is curvy or not, is that the point???
It's a beautiful photo and even if she is curvy or not CURVY she is gorgeous! Some people insist on what they believe is right, i say let them believe…
I really like the photo with the curvy non curvy girl in it. xx

she has amazing cheekbones and hair. she's beautiful. she probably has a naturally small frame judging by her cheekbones. i have trouble telling if she is "curvy" but it does sound a little offensive to call her "very curvy." i still hear curvy as a positive word in my mind, but knowing that it implies a negative connotation, i do think that's a strong phrase!

She's got such odd proportions. Really not loving this. She looks odd.

one of my favorite photographs from you.

please read my blog at http://ohgeeitsgreat.wordpress.com/

An incredibly beautiful and personally stylish girl. Very curvy – and I don't mean that as big-curvy but really curvy. A perfect body.

Oh boy, this post raised some blood pressure.

Didn't the author write about highlighting what you love and accepting what you don't and knowing how to make the best of it? Doesn't that sentiment work for everyone, including the model and the eye of the photographer?

Elaine

This girl is insanely beautiful. Wherever she goes and whatever she wants she will find her way smoothed by her great beauty. This photo does not reveal much of her body shape and the word 'curvy' has many connotations, as readers have pointed out. Kylie Minogue has never appeared to have a problem being shorter than the Western average. So what I'm left with here is a picture of an exceptionally beautiful girl in very ordinary clothes, photgraphed by an exceptionally talented photographer. And while I appreciate it, I don't see much that's new here.

Bravo. Well said, she is amazing and we could all learn a thing or two about playing up our assets.

lol she isn't curvy! She's quite slim. I don't know what your idea of curvy is, but if you consider Claude to be 'normal' then I don't know what you'd think of a woman with real curves.

loads of men find petite women sexy but it gets overlooked somehow in the media's obsession with tall and thin.

Love her hair <3

Very nice photo, Scott! I was immediately captured by the colors in it, especially the background with the green contrasting against her dark outfit. I think Claude is gorgeous and I love her hair! I was thinking of growing my bangs out but this picture makes me want to cut them again.

I think I definitely learned over the years to dress up my best assets as well (I'm 5'2 1/2" and my best assets are my legs)

Cool post! I'd like to see more photos of Claude sans parka.

I've been contemplating getting some bangs that are styled like hers. What shape of face do you think I need to pull that off? Do they work on everyone?

This picture is doing exactly what it is suppose to. It's making a 5'1" curvy woman look like a typical model in any fashion picture; taller, thinner and more beautiful than in person (althought I'm sure she's a beaut in person). That's the point of camera angels and picking the right outfit. It's no wonder no one can see her "curves" you aren't suppose to. That's the reality of fashion. Hiding imperfections to SELL stuff. We all hide our imperfections everyday (shaving/waxing, dyeing, dieitng, makeup, high heels, surgery, you get the point). We put ourselves together everyday to sell ourselves as something we may not necessarily be when we wake up in the morning. We should just appreciate how beautiful she looks in the picture and Scott's photographic talent.

Of course, Claude is a beauty! Her lokk, oh my gor, is awesome, just perfect, minus the cigarrete!
She cud be prettier if she wouldn't be an smoker.. that kind of attitude re4ally ruins any marvelous look, for sure.
Great pic, though.

She definately is beautiful. I like this post a lot. I like that you present a good example of how to focus on our assets and not stress on what needs to be "fixed." Thanks.

she is indeed beautiful, but hardly curvy as you say.

On the subject of real curves, would love to see more photos of "real" women on your blog. Plus size etc. We know how to dress also, you know, even though the fashion industry would have us believing otherwise.

Great commentary, I must say! It took me way to long to figure out the flaunting!

Beautiful! Love the shoes.

so amazing!!
as always!

http://www.soxie-gal.blogspot.com

Love the hair!

Claude/Claudia is lovely.

Guess you have to file this one under 'you can't win', Scott! I can see what you're trying to say.. you mean she's heavier and shorter than 'industry standards' (God I hate that phrase) but you can't say that, of course, so use words like curvy & petite.

And the smoking issue! I inadvertently sparked off a whole hoo hah with this post:
http://tiny.cc/47w5s

And the conclusion everyone came to? Exactly what you said in your post: to thine own self be true.

Very nice pic, love the boots, love the coat too. Berlin is such a creative and inventive city, there are a lot of designers and fashionable people.

though in my opinion, the problem with this post is the association between "regular girl being curvy and 5"1" and "imperfections". Another reminder that nowadays, being short or curvy means… being unperfect ? Then, thank god people like me who are indeed 5"1 don't care and keep on trying to look as good as possible everyday. And finding clothes is not so easy…

I normally don't comment, but wanted to share my feeling on this one ;)

Nice shoes!

FASHION FREAK XOXO

http://diaryofalondonfashionfreak.blogspot.com/

Let's consider… why is it that her curves aren't one of her "best features"? She's beautiful and I bet her curves are, too. It's a shame she feels the need to downplay them.

As I am also 5'1" and curvy, THIS EXCITES ME!
:)
I hope to see more from her in the future.

Cool!!!!

I can see why she hates the name of Claudia- she has that Claudia Schiffer mouth and of course she doesn't want to be a double ;)

I adore her heavy fringe.
http://www.salonbusiness.co.uk

no it's not just the tempting lips, the strong hair and the impressive (but well known) shoes… It's her attitude of what french say 'je m'en fous'.. she is totally charming cause she goes like 'i know i'm gorgeous but i don't give a shit'

Those bangs!!

http://seeyourstyle.blogspot.com/

does anyone know where i can find these boots?

Her hair is perfection.

http://ledazzler.wordpress.com

more of her soon please?

I dont think she looks "very curvy" at all.
I know the parka is covering her up, but still.
She is obviously a stunner though.

more shots of Claude please. and especially those curves :)

i want hair like that

beautiful

Very, very edgy – LOVE everything about the pic except the overly ordinary jacket… but in this case, it does not look out of place

she has a pair of the hottest legs Ive seen in a while

love love love love its my favourite post and picture, oh yeah we are obsessed about our own imperfections but live is amazing and now i know i should love myself, thank you and Claude!!!

Best it's best look

i don’t know why everyone is so mad at you for describing these girls as being bigger “curvy” than THE MAJORITY in the fashion world. i think it’s lovely the way you describe them. your honesty. it’s honesty, and everyone else is afraid to admit. these women are beautiful. and i know, i can tell, by your words that what you’re saying is intended in the kindest way. it’s so refreshing to see a WOMAN. i wish more ladies in fashion looked like this.

you can’t deny the dark side of the fashion industy, YOU CAN’T. i don’t know if you’ve ever seen a model a high fashion model in person but they are literally walking sticks. they look “bigger” in pictures.

this girl is gorgeous. i wish there were more like her.

she is the real sartorilist…
you shuld take more photo of these girls…