Michelle

The revenge of the petites

"The petite customer was complaining that she couldn't find our clothes in the petite department anymore because it didn't exist," Wilkerson said.

In fact, Saks did away with all petites from all designers. Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus scaled back their petite departments, making way for other merchandise that could possibly generate more money.

It's a dicey move according industry analysts like Marshal Cohen.

"There are two consumer segments I wouldn't want to go up against. One of them is the plus size, the other is the petite size customer. They are the most emotionally connected to the product of anyone. So if you're going to mess with their business, they're going to let you know," Cohen said.

And many did, but not shopping Saks.

And now Saks is indeed reversing course. Come fall, 32 of its 55 stores will have a petite department.

"We listened to what our customers wanted and heard loud and clear that there was a demand for petite clothing," a spokesperson said.

And because petite women don't just buy clothes, like all women they buy makeup, handbags and accessories.

Saks is looking forward to the return of the petite woman and the feeling seems mutual.

"It makes me feel great. I'm going to come back to Saks," a petite shopper said.

And that's a relief to designer Edward Wilkerson as petites make up 15 percent of his business -- and he wasn't ready to give up on that smaller woman.

"Petite is petite. Nothing fits like a petite fits," Wilkerson said.