Beyond the 'kids' section'
She does manage to buy tops and dresses off-the-rack, she said, "but with a bit of difficulty since I do have to search in the petite section. Sometimes in the kids' section."
It was witnessing firsthand the exasperation of a woman with dwarfism shopping for basic staples that inspired Myriam Chalek to set up the International Dwarf Fashion Show.
"It was seeing this little lady shopping in a kids section -- very frustrated, not finding clothes that fit her," she said.
"I work in the fashion industry, so you always deal with designers and clients who ask you for tall and skinny," Chalek added.
"Even though some people are trying to turn the tide, like we are, unfortunately that still remains the norm."
The International Dwarf Fashion Show has attracted worldwide attention since it launched in 2014, taking to the runway during New York Fashion Week, as well as in Tokyo and Paris, supported by France's culture ministry.
But in Dubai, the show almost did not happen after an eleventh-hour cancellation, organisers said.
Chalek said there was "chaos, drama, disappointment and anger" when the hotel they had booked cancelled on them last minute.
A second hotel also refused to host the show.
Contacted by AFP, the manager at one hotel said he was not aware of any fashion show. The head of communications at the second hotel was not reachable for comment.
While Theriault was anxious to fly back home to her son, she said she was not giving up on working for more inclusivity in the world of fashion and beyond.
"We just want to show them that we're people just like they are," she said.
"Everybody has a disability, no matter if you can see it on the outside or on the inside," the model added.
"Everybody just needs to be accepted."