Trending How: The Blueprint- Why Not Petites Chicago Fashion Week

On October 10th, I had the pleasure of going to the Why Not Petites show with The Curio for Chicago Fashion Week!

For some background, Why Not Petites is a Chicago Model Collective founded by Britney Wittes. The focus of the company is to uplift petite models!

While it may sound redundant, as the stereotype for models is to be skinny, Why Not Petites means to emphasize that petite also means short. In the modeling industry, women under 5'9" and men under 5'11" are considered short. "Petite" models for women are still between 5'5" and 5'8"!

For reference, the national average height for women in America is 5'4".

Britney Wittes, who is 5'3", grew up modeling and made this collective with the goal to promote diversity within the modeling industry and show that people of all sizes have a place in the industry. Including height.

Their show, The Blueprint, was hosted at the beautiful Driehaus Museum on the Near North Side in Chicago. The museum was genuinely one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The restored home from 1883 is beautifully decorated with one of the most significant collections of Louis Comfort Tiffany's works, marble and onyx, expertly carved woods, and intricate tile pieces. It is hard to believe that it was restored in 2003, as it feels like it is straight out of the Gilded Age, an Art Nouveau masterpiece.

Doors opened at 6:30, and guests were able to explore the museum, with crafted cocktails served in the lobby. Something that I don't think I will ever get used to with attending these shows is just how amazing everyone looks. There was an area to take pictures at the main entrance (and many other locations throughout the house), and just, wow. It is almost part of the show itself, so much so that I think I may need to start dressing up more for them...

There were two options for seating for the actual show. They had balcony seats, as well as seats on the floor. The show was held in the Murphey Auditorium, which looked more like a chapel than any auditorium I've ever seen.

I was seated on the balcony, which had its upsides as well as downsides. While I did not have to worry about not being able to see over someone's head, part of my view was obstructed by the balcony itself.

The show began with a few words from Britney Wittes and the co-host, Amber Farooqui. They spoke about how Why Not Petites came to be, as well as their goals. With that, they introduced the first designer, Balloons Marshelly.

Just as the name suggests, all of the pieces are made from actual balloons.

Seeing the weaving of these balloons was absolutely insane. The majority of the dresses were woven, and others were built from wrinkled balloons.

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After came Hillary Rings! A Chicago designer, her work values having physical pieces represent the person wearing them, and she wants to foster community.

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Fabric Da Vinci took over the runway. Showing a wide variety of designs set to Lana Del Ray, which the audience loved.

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InBetweenBranches by Jordan Chavez was a beautiful display. Flowing and interesting, with additions that provoked conversation.

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To close out the show, Fabric Da Vinci came back out with a second collection. It was an amazing way to end the show.

Overall this show was so amazing and I feel so lucky to be able to have gone! I love Why Not Petites, and I am so excited to see what else these designers do in the future!!