The Latest Runway Debate: Is There Room in the Modeling World for “Normal-Sized” Models?

By Kim Anne Feb 2, 2012 5:55PM

The never-ending controversy of the size of models seems to be a topic that always manages to cause a stir. In many instances, it’s the battle over models who appear way too thin and the pressure to stay skinny in the industry. Other times, it’s the topic of plus-sized models and their place in the modeling world.

But Fashionista.com is exploring yet another trigger that has been creating buzz—what about all the normal-sized girls?

In a world where models are given flack for being too fat, or in the case of plus-sized models, not big enough, the question remains, is there room in the industry for everyone else?

26-year old Katie Halchishick (not pictured) is making a name for herself by exploring this question. The model, who worked as a plus-sized model in her teens, was told to gain more weight to open up the opportunity fo more work. When she did, by putting on enough weight to reach a size 14, her career flourished. But a few years later, when she lost a little weight (she was down to a size 8) to be healthier, her career came to a hault and she was no longer picking up many jobs.

So what did she do? She started her own agency catered to employing models size 6-10, with the intention that “healthy is the new skinny.”

Do you think this is a growing trend?