Photo: Deb Lee
Taylor Tookes is a trailblazer in the fashion industry, making history as the first petite Black model to walk at New York Fashion Week and grace the cover of InStyle Magazine. Discovered by Glamnetic’s CEO, her rise to prominence includes campaigns with Bloomingdale’s and Walmart, runway appearances in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, and features in iconic publications like Harper’s Bazaar and Elle. As the founder of the Height Revolution campaign, Tookes is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusivity, challenging the industry’s bias against petite models. Fluent in multiple languages and with a vision for global impact, Tookes inspires others to break through barriers with confidence, authenticity, and determination.
1. You made history as the first short model to grace the cover of InStyle Magazine and the first petite Black model to walk at New York Fashion Week. How did it feel to break these barriers, and what impact do you hope your achievements have on the fashion industry?
- It felt amazing but also very long overdue. I feel like short women should’ve been welcomed on the major runways way sooner than 2024. I hope other designers are more open to short women walking for them. Sometimes it isn’t all about the “We don’t have your size!” – I’ve learned it’s more of a prejudice for a lot of designers as well.
2. You were discovered by the CEO of Glamnetic just two years ago and have since skyrocketed to success. What was that moment like, and how has your journey in the fashion world evolved since then?
- Well, I had just started putting myself out there on Instagram – posting my portfolio photos and showing the world my modeling photos, waiting to see if someone would notice me. Glamnetic came across my account and asked me if I’d like to shoot a campaign. I believe it was my first ever campaign shoot and it was super fun. Although I was given a great opportunity for commercial work, commercial work has never really been that much of an issue for petite models like runway has. My goal is to walk major runways as a short model. I would say my journey really started evolving when I walked my first runway for NYFW in 2022 and was featured in major publications like Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire… That’s when people started taking me seriously and took me even more seriously when I was placed on the covers of Instyle and Grazia. It wasn’t until then that they believed I was here to stay.
3. From campaigns with brands like Bloomingdales and Walmart to runway appearances in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, how do you prepare for such diverse modeling opportunities?
- I’m always ready. I honestly just stay ready. I’m always wanting and looking to do more and I have even more prepared for 2025. I guess I’m just always open and ready so I don’t have any special way of preparing.
4. Your advocacy for diversity and inclusivity led to the creation of your Instagram campaign, Height Revolution. What inspired you to start this initiative, and what changes do you hope to see in the industry for petite models?
- It was an afterthought after being fed up with seeing another casting call that was only reserved for women 5’9 and up. I got so angry that I put out a “PSA” on my instagram story asking if any petite models would like to join me in leading the movement. A petite model I met at NYFW (we made history together) joined me. Her name is Marissa Rose and she’s the first 4’11 model. Genuinely, I just hope more petite models are given a chance to shine. It’s always “diversity this, inclusivity that” yet we barely have any representation on the major runways. It should be more than just me and one other girl.
Photo: Deb Lee
5. You’ve been featured in iconic publications like Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and Marie Claire. How do these accomplishments shape your confidence and goals as a model?
- I’ve always had confidence in myself and that’s not anything anyone can ever or will ever take away from me. I’ve used it to my advantage. I know my confidence helps me stand out because I’m able to walk in a room full of girls who are 5’9 and up, not bat an eye of intimidation and still get chosen. Definitively confidence is key because you really have to know yourself and you can’t let anyone tell you otherwise in this business – especially when you’re defying the odds. I have a lot of goals for myself, and I intend to accomplish them all.
6. As a multilingual talent fluent in Korean, Spanish, and English, and learning Italian and Hindi, how does your love for world music and languages influence your creativity and career?
- It makes me want to walk international runways, which is actually something I have planned for next year. I am super excited to inspire other short girls in other countries. I’m also working on creating more opportunities for them too. If no one is going to do it, then I might as well.
7. You’ve become a role model for aspiring petite and diverse models. What advice would you give to someone facing challenges breaking into the fashion industry due to perceived limitations?
- Do it anyway. That’s literally all there is to it. Don’t let anybody tell you no because there’s a first for everything.
8. From high fashion runways to commercial campaigns, your portfolio is incredibly versatile. How do you balance staying true to yourself while adapting to the demands of different brands and audiences?
- Thank you! I just think I know who I am, so it isn’t a problem for me and never has been. I know my mission, my goals and my aim – so since I have tunnel vision on those, no one can really tell me anything. I think it’s important to know yourself and showcase who you really are. You can’t go wrong with authenticity – people are drawn to that more than anything whether others want to believe that or not.
9. With over 66K followers on Instagram, how do you use your platform to connect with your audience and amplify the message of inclusivity in the fashion world?
- I love talking to my community. Inclusivity is all I talk about because I’m hugely passionate about it. My audience loves that, and they support me and my mission, so that keeps me going as well. I think when you’re passionate about something, it shows, and it could rub off on other people. It could also inspire other people who have that passion to step up and showcase their passion as well – which is great because with this particular topic, we need a lot of voices to speak up, so we are heard.
10. Looking ahead, what are your dream projects or collaborations, and what can fans expect from you in the future as both a model and an advocate for change?
- I really want to work and connect with people who have the same passion as me. I don’t have any specific dream projects or specific dream collaborations. I’d just like to prioritize brands that are GENUINELY passionate about diversity and inclusion, especially for short women. In the future, people can definitely expect to see me advocate more and they can surely expect to see my face everywhere because I don’t plan on going anywhere!
Where can we follow you on social media?
- Instagram: @taytookes
Photo credit: Deb Lee