Company Requests 'Size Small Models,' Deletes OSU Student's Pictures

An OSU student said she quit her job at a clothing store after the owner told her she wants only "model material" girls posing in their clothes.

Sherene Zarrabi had been working at Dainty Hooligan in Stillwater for about half a year when she saw an email from the company owner saying she wanted only “stereotypical models” posing in pictures in their clothing.

She quit her job and is now speaking out against body shaming.

The OSU student posted three photos to the clothing boutique Dainty Hooligan’s Instagram; they were eventually deleted.

Then, she saw an email from the company owner, saying, "I want size small, the stereotypical ‘model’ type to model our clothes...Don't take it personal, all I ask for is really good representation."

"If they want just a size small model, they need to sell just size small clothing. That's the way I look at it. Like, if I can fit into their clothing, why can't I be in the pictures," she said.

"Their values are outdated and they're disgusting, and if that's how they're going to be I want nothing to do with their company."

Dainty Hooligan is based in California but has stories in Stillwater, Norman and Tulsa.

Zarrabi said she has since heard from the company owner, who could not be reached for comment.

“[She said that] I misinterpreted the email," she said. "I don't know how many ways that could be interpreted other than the one way."

Employees at the store said the "size small" models, on Dainty Hooligan's Instagram, are now receiving threats.

Zarrabi said her only intention is to spread this message, “I think, a lot of times, bullying and body shaming goes unnoticed, and I think it's the worst thing in the world.

"This is 2016. Every body is beautiful and every body is accepted," she said.

There is some good to come from all of this, Zarrabi said she's received messages saying, 'You're beautiful,’ and has even been asked to model for some other boutique clothing stores.

According to a story printed on Tuesday by the O'Colly, OSU's student newspaper, Issler stood by her email.

“I am accountable for the email that was sent,” Issler said in a phone interview with the O'Colly. “I never meant to be mean or attacking, but I’m not apologizing for the unsaid fashion rule. ...“We deleted about 50 pictures, and only two or three of them were of Zarrabi. I’ve never even met her. She should have just asked the true meaning of the email.”

Issler also reportedly told the O'Colly her store should not see a change in profits.

“I think the typical standard customer knows what we’re about and knows this topic is irrelevant,” Issler reportedly told the O'Colly. “I meant absolutely no hate towards [Zarrabi]. She’s not mentally healthy.”

You can read the complete story in the O'Colly by clicking here.