Expert: Kitty Kavey - 2/5/2008

Question
Dear Ms. Kavey,
I would like to get into the modeling industry when I am 18 or 19, but currently I am 16, and only 5'2. I haven't grown any taller for the past two years. But my dad didn't have his growth spurt until he was 19, so I was wondering if I could still be a haute couture model, although I probably won't be taller than 5'5. Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
Nada

Answer
Fashion modeling is the hardest end of the industry to get into, as the qualifications are so strict.  You may have to consider other types of modeling, such as commercial print - which doesn't have the height, age and size criteria that fashion modeling does.
The minimum height requirement for fashion is generally about 5'8 or 5'9, but there are a few agencies who will consider shorter (5'7), particularly if you are exceptional - Kate Moss is 5'6, (although sometimes her bio says 5'7.)
Perhaps you will have a later growth spurt as did your father, and in the meantime you can visit your local library or bookstore or online for books about other types of modeling that you can do without having to grow quite so tall.  
Good luck to you,
~Kitty