Taylor Tookes is a model and content creator that is making the fashion industry rethink size and height. She was the first short model to grace the cover of a major fashion magazine when she appeared on the cover of Instyle in March 2024 and the first petite black model to walk in New York Fashion Week. To say nothing stops Taylor is an understatement! I recently caught up with this pintsize powerhouse to get her thoughts on social media and see what advice she has for her followers.
You are a model and a content creator. Why do you think social media is important to a career?
I think it’s really important to have a presence and a community. I really feel like social media helps a lot of people launch their careers… We see proof of this like every month on TikTok. Literally everyone is on social media nowadays and brands are also using social media a whole lot more to recruit talent as well. I think it’s super important for people to know who you are and support you if you want to be successful in the industry. Careers in this industry are literally built off of community and there would be no community without having a presence. Also… you never know who might come across your page.
Do you have any advice for your followers on how to handle negative comments on their social media?
Honestly, I know people are weird, but I would just say to never give it your attention. I’m a huge advocate for the block button and I know some people may think it’s “weak” to use, but is your ego and pride really worth feeling uncomfortable on your own page? I don’t think anything good has ever come out of responding to negativity. Also, I think it’s important and helpful to know yourself because when you do, those negative comments won’t be able to tell you a thing about yourself. It’ll literally just be irrelevant water off a duck’s back.
How do you come up with ideas for your social media content?
I use myself and my community as my inspiration. My own experiences as a short model in the fashion industry helped me figure out what to post. My community on Instagram (the petite model community) helps as well, especially because we mostly all have experienced the same thing. I have so much to share that I think I’ll be good at posting about being a petite model in fashion for the rest of my career.
How did you start your modeling career?
I kind of just put myself out there using social media. I decided I was going to get serious with modeling in late 2020. Even though the pandemic had just begun, I did all I could by posting my portfolio on social media. I did my part by submitting myself to bookings, connecting with people on social media and safely updating my portfolio. I ended up walking my first Miami Swim Week in 2021, NYFW in 2022 and worked with a bunch of really cool brands for print/commercial campaigns. I will say social media helped me A LOT. I got the chance to build a pretty cool community of people who genuinely support me.
Photo Credit: Josh Eskridge at Vault Place Studio
What has been your favorite runway to walk so far?
NYFW in 2022. It was my first NYFW and it was pretty cool to make history with 4 other amazing petite models. We had no clue we’d be walking for an all-petite brand AND become the first petite models to walk.
You have gone to some red-carpet events. What has been your favorite event so far?
Oh my god, it’s impossible to choose just one. I would have to say the “IF” movie premiere was so cool. I got to meet some really cool people and there were games, ice cream, cotton candy. My inner child was so happy. I’d also have to say the premiere for Hulu’s “Prom Dates” was also fun! “Prom Dates” is a cute little queer rom-com. It felt so good to be surrounded by my community! I felt so safe and seen and the queer community deserves cute light-hearted movies too!
How important do you think networking is to a budding career?
I really think networking is super important because building community is quite literally everything in any career. I like to call it “building community” rather than networking. I think it’s really cool how you could come across someone, you have no clue who they are, you click super well and they end up being someone who’s in the same industry as you. I’ve noticed there are way more people willing to help you out than you think. All you have to do is your part of putting yourself out there and let yourself be known. People really like other people who are trying to make positive change and that could really carry you further and open way more doors for you than you’d think.
Are there any upcoming projects you can share with our readers?
I do have a few magazine covers; runway shows and possibly a movie. I can’t say much but I can’t wait for you to see.
Photo Credit: Josh Eskridge at Vault Place Studio
