Updated: August 1, 2026
Who Is David Kibbe? Creator of the 13 Kibbe Body Types
Who is David Kibbe? Meet the creator of the 13 Kibbe body types and his 1987 book Metamorphosis — the system behind every type and style guide on this site.

The Kibbe body typing system was created by David Kibbe, an image consultant and author who revolutionized how women approach personal style. If you've been searching "David Kibbe body types" or "David Kibbe body type," you've already found the system he built — these 13 types are his classification framework.
Who Is David Kibbe?
David Kibbe is a New York-based image consultant who developed his body typing system over decades of working with women as a personal stylist. His approach combined elements of:
The Book: Metamorphosis
In 1987, David Kibbe published "Metamorphosis: Discover Your Image Identity and Dazzle As Only You Can" — often simply called "Metamorphosis" or the "Kibbe book."
The book laid out the foundational principles:
2. This combination determines which of the 13 types she belongs to
3. Dressing in harmony with one's natural lines creates maximum impact
4. Makeup, hair, and accessories must also align with one's type
Metamorphosis: The Original vs. The Bible New Edition
The Original 1987 Edition
The original Metamorphosis has become a cult classic, with used copies selling for hundreds of dollars. It introduced:
The Bible New Edition
David Kibbe released a revised edition with updated information, celebrity examples, and modern interpretations while keeping the core principles intact.
Why the Kibbe System Endures
The 13 David Kibbe Body Types
The David Kibbe body type system classifies every body into one of 13 types across 5 families. Here they are, from most yang to most yin:
Each David Kibbe body type has its own characteristics, best silhouettes, colors, and fabrics. When people ask "what Kibbe body type am I?" they're usually trying to find which of these 13 types they fit into. You can browse all 13 types or take the Kibbe body type quiz to find yours.
The Kibbe Community
Since Metamorphosis, an active online community has grown around the Kibbe system:
Internal Links
Discover Your Kibbe Type
Take our interactive quiz to find out your body type and get personalized styling recommendations.
Take the Quiz