ByJan Shure, Jan Shure
For those women who hover around the average UK height - a somewhat petite 5 foot 4 ins - the idea of being model-tall can seem achingly desirable. The reality for those women who actually are significantly above average height, is not quite so appealing.
Arianne Cohen, 6ft 3in, and author of The Tall Book, notes that when she was younger, choosing an outfit meant "picking accessories to go with men's trousers", while US-born six-footer Judy Rich was so appalled at the paucity of "tall" clothes and shoes when she moved to London, that she founded fashion chain Long Tall Sally.
And now north Londoner Kelly Levy (below), aged 27 and 6 foot 1 inch tall, has parlayed her six years of fashion expertise gained at two leading fashion agencies to follow in Rich's size 9 footsteps by setting up her website, www.6Foot Fashion.com.
Having attained her lofty height at age 15, Kelly feels the pain of tall women.
"As a teenager, I had problems 80 percent of the time finding clothes to fit. I had dresses made for me a few times, which might sound wonderful, but I just wanted to wear the same as all my friends. Evening wear was the hardest, and also jeans. And I always bought men's trainers as women's didn't fit me.
"I am hugely passionate about this business and the difficulties tall women face. I know because I am one of them," declares ex-FZY-nik, Kelly.
Her website, which launched in August, offers designer and higher-end clothing and shoes which promise a proper fit for tall women, with longer arm, leg and body lengths and larger shoe sizes. A carefully edited autumn/winter collection features long, beautifully soft knitwear, faux leather trousers, skinny and boot-leg jeans, day dresses, evening frocks, biker jackets and a collection of longer cut shirts from über-cool brand, Equipment. The only slight diasppointment may be felt by tall girls wanting heels as the site, currently, offers only ballerina flats - albeit gorgeous two tone or leopard print babies by Pretty Ballerina.
Arriving soon for spring, Kelly has similarly directional pieces from designers such as Joie, BCBG, Anoushka G, Butter by Nadia and Urbancode.