12 kibbe.com
About the project
In 1987, in his book Metamorphosis, American designer and stylist David Kibbe described a theory of lines and shapes consisting of 13 types of female appearance, each beautiful in its own way. Clothing, hairstyles, and accessories are meant to reveal the individual beauty of each type, and should be chosen based on the lines and shapes of your body — this was the core, and at the time revolutionary, idea of the book.
The New York Times called David Kibbe a “beauty guru.” His book Metamorphosis, dedicated to women's style types, has been a bestseller for over 30 years. Fashion has changed many times since then, but the book remains relevant to this day.
The New York Times called David Kibbe a “beauty guru.” His book Metamorphosis, dedicated to women's style types, has been a bestseller for over 30 years. Fashion has changed many times since then, but the book remains relevant to this day.
David Kibbe was the first to introduce the concept of a full transformation — the now-popular show format where a heroine is changed from head to toe.
Kibbe was also the first to challenge conventions, declaring that classic femininity doesn’t suit everyone, and that there’s no need to force yourself into trends or conform out of fear of not fitting into some average "beauty standard."
Instead, he encouraged people to highlight the unique lines of their own type.
In his terminology, the foundation of any appearance type lies in the combination of two opposing energies — Yin and Yang:
Kibbe was also the first to challenge conventions, declaring that classic femininity doesn’t suit everyone, and that there’s no need to force yourself into trends or conform out of fear of not fitting into some average "beauty standard."
Instead, he encouraged people to highlight the unique lines of their own type.
In his terminology, the foundation of any appearance type lies in the combination of two opposing energies — Yin and Yang:
The 5 main David Kibbe types from 1987:
- Dramatic – the extreme expression of Yang. Tall height, sharp bone structure, elongated limbs, straight body lines; straight, narrow facial features (thin straight lips, sharp nose and chin, prominent cheekbones).
- Romantic – the extreme expression of Yin. Short height, feminine body shape, defined waist, relatively short limbs, rounded facial features (large eyes, full lips, soft cheeks).
- Gamine – a spicy blend of Yin and Yang. Yin is reflected in the petite height, delicate bone structure, and slightly childlike, rounded facial features; Yang shows in the elongated, straight body lines and sharp bones.
- Classic – a balance of Yin and Yang. Average height, symmetrical body shape, evenly proportioned, slightly angular bone structure, regular facial features (symmetrical, medium-sized eyes, straight lips, refined nose, medium cheekbones). This type is quite rare, and over time David Kibbe discontinued the category of Pure Classic, keeping only its subtypes (which we’ll cover below).
- Natural – softened strong Yang. Medium to slightly tall height, straight body lines, often broad shoulders and an elongated waist, blunt and broad bone structure, somewhat irregular facial features (wide-set eyes, large straight lips, slightly wide nose and chin, broad cheekbones).
The intermediate types with a predominance of Drama were called Dramatic or Flamboyant by David Kibbe (F – from the French flamboyante, meaning "fiery, blazing"), while types with a predominance of Romantic were called Soft.
The case is slightly different with the Theatrical Romantic and Soft Dramatic types, where Yin and Yang do not clash but rather complement each other directly.
A Soft Dramatic is a Pure Dramatic infused with a substantial amount of Pure Romantic, while a Theatrical Romantic is a Pure Romantic with some added elements of Pure Dramatic.
The case is slightly different with the Theatrical Romantic and Soft Dramatic types, where Yin and Yang do not clash but rather complement each other directly.
A Soft Dramatic is a Pure Dramatic infused with a substantial amount of Pure Romantic, while a Theatrical Romantic is a Pure Romantic with some added elements of Pure Dramatic.
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The dominance of a particular energy will affect your bone length, height, body shape, and facial features. That’s why we recommend determining your Kibbe type only after your body has fully developed — typically at age 25 and older.
The fashion for a particular type of appearance changes from decade to decade, and clothing changes along with it. In the 1920s–30s, during the era of black-and-white cinema, striking Dramatics were in vogue. In the 1950s, the flawlessly Classic Grace Kelly appeared on screens. The same decade introduced the world to Audrey Hepburn and the unique style of Gamines. Alongside them, Romantics like Marilyn Monroe came into fashion, as well as Soft Dramatics like Sophia Loren, with their bold and exceptionally feminine dresses.
Hippie Naturals shaped the look of the '70s.
The '90s, “Generation X,” and the glamorous 2000s that followed were the era of Flamboyant Gamines and Theatrical Romantics.
Every Kibbe type has its own style icons, past and present.
Today, Flamboyant Naturals are in fashion.
The '90s, “Generation X,” and the glamorous 2000s that followed were the era of Flamboyant Gamines and Theatrical Romantics.
Every Kibbe type has its own style icons, past and present.
Today, Flamboyant Naturals are in fashion.
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Chunky sneakers and heavy boots, longline blazers, and relaxed oversized styles suit Naturals perfectly — they highlight the strength and freshness of this type.
But what about the types for whom the lines and shapes of Flamboyant Naturals and Dramatics are completely unflattering?
But what about the types for whom the lines and shapes of Flamboyant Naturals and Dramatics are completely unflattering?
As Bernard Shaw once said: “Following fashion is ridiculous, but not following it is stupid!”
The ability to choose from all the current trends only those pieces that highlight your unique beauty — that is true style.
The ability to choose from all the current trends only those pieces that highlight your unique beauty — that is true style.
Very young, not yet fully developed girls might still look fine in "foreign" styles of clothing, but as a woman gets older, the lines and shapes of her own Kibbe type become more pronounced in her appearance, making it harder for her to stay on-trend and truly like what she sees in the mirror.
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WHAT THIS PROJECT IS FOR
We created this website to help every woman see herself in a new light. Here you can:
We created this website to help every woman see herself in a new light. Here you can:
- take our unique online test to determine your Kibbe type on your own
- connect with other women of your type in our chat
- get inspired by new looks
- find fashionable and modern pieces that suit you in the Wardrobe section
- receive outside opinions
- reveal the full beauty of your appearance
- and finally, create your own personal style that’s modern and truly yours
May your reflection in the mirror bring you joy, and every purchase be a success!