Right: Charlotte "Lottie" Moss (centre, tallest) is shown attending the wedding of her half-sister Kate, a leading British model. Now, the younger Moss, at 13, seems to be following in Kate's footsteps.
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Arguments in favour of girls under 16 being allowed into fashion modelling
1. Girls who wish to model should be able to choose to do so
Alexandra Agoston was a taken on by a modelling agency at 14. She believes that young girls who are suitably mature should be able to pursue their career even if they are less than 16.
Ms Agoston states, 'Age is such a personal thing; sometimes you're not ready at 18; or maybe you're ready at 13. It's not an industry where you learn A, B and C and then you're ready. It's hard to put a structure to it.'
The director of GEAR, Dragan Dimovski, has stated, 'I do not believe that 13 is too young. These young people are gaining an understanding and learning the expectations for what is to come in the future so that they are well prepared for the lucrative, demanding fashion industry.'
Commentator Libbi Gorr has stated, 'If you are lucky enough to have been born freakishly beautiful, it's not for others to say you can't exploit it.'
Thirteen-year-old Lottie Moss, Kate Moss's half-sister, has just had her first fashion shoot. Her father has stated, 'Well, you have to take advantage of any opportunities that come along haven't you? If things work out for Lottie and she eventually gets some work it could help her in her future.
It's getting harder and harder to get jobs, university and things like that - so if she can get a couple of jobs early on and get something behind her maybe it makes life easier.'
2. Most agencies that use young models have them wear age-appropriate clothing
It has been claimed that most agencies that employ models in their early teens ensure that they wear age-appropriate clothing.
On November 15, 2011, 13-year-old Chloe Glassie won the Girlfriend Rimmel Model Search.
All eight finalists were dressed in jeans, sneakers and T-shirts - a concerted move to prevent the sexualisation of under-age models, said the magazine's editor Sarah Tarca.
Ms Tarca stated, 'It's age appropriate and the right thing to do. These girls will go on to great things, but right now they are girls.'
The younger the child the more important it is that she is dressed age-appropriately. Thus those agencies that work with very young children claim to be particularly careful not to dress them or otherwise present them in a manner that prematurely sexualises them.
Brats Models director Michael Spott has claimed that he does not sign children to his agency if he believes parents are forcing them into it, and he insists on age-appropriate jobs.
Mr Spott has stated, 'I am not a fan of turning little children into adults.'
3. Most agencies that use young models treat them in an age-appropriate manner
It has been claimed that young models are not mistreated or exploited; rather the agencies that employ them take care to acknowledge their age and treat them in an appropriate manner.
The director of GEAR, Dragan Dimovski, said young models received age-appropriate care and opportunities. Mr Dimovski stated, 'Everything goes past the parents for approval.'
Chic Management director, Kathy Ward, whose agency represents top Australian models, said Chic took on girls aged 13 and 14 but they went through 'apprentice-style management until they are old enough and mature enough to take on the demands of international modelling'.
Oceana Strachan, 15, has signed with GEAR. Her mother, Ms Strachan, has stated, 'What I really liked was that they do encourage their young models to continue with their education.'
4. Many successful models began while quite young
It has been noted that many successful models began their careers at 13 or 14.
Commentator Libbi Gorr has stated, 'A Dolly cover girl winner in 1997 at age 13 was one Miranda Kerr, who boasts an amazingly down-to-earth mum and grandma. Looking at Kerr now, with all the wonder and jealousy her PR people intend, I still feel confident the girl has got her head right.
She's 28, successful, married to a productive, handsome guy, with access to amazing people and cultures while balancing work with family life. What's so screwed-up about that?'
Similarly, British super model Kate Moss was discovered at 14 and her half-sister, Lottie Moss, has had her first photo shoot at 13.
The director of GEAR, Dragan Dimovski, has stated, 'When you look back at the ages of Miranda Kerr, Elle Macpherson and Naomi Campbell when they started modelling - and even my head booker at GEAR, former international model Naomi Fitzgerald de Grave - then 13 is the right age to enter into the fashion industry.'
5. Australian models are denying themselves international careers because they do not enter the industry early enough
It has been claimed that Australian models enter the industry too late to be of interest to international modelling agencies.
Naomi Fitzgerald de Grave, a booker for GEAR Model Management, has stated, 'I know people may think 13 is very young, but that's what the international brands are looking for in Europe ... Models are too old at 16 now.'
Ms de Grave further stated, 'Younger girls offer more to potential overseas clients, but they have to start their careers early.
Ideally, everything does look better smaller. Realistically, with models, it's not a beauty thing - they're a walking coat hanger. In Europe the demand is for smaller girls.'
A GEAR director, Dragan Dimovski, has stated, 'We are pretty much targeting the younger 13 to 16 [age group]. That's what they're doing internationally. The models in Australia are missing out on opportunities internationally.'
Mr Dimovski has further stated, 'The major international fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Burberry, Calvin Klein and Versace are all using young models. Why? Because in the fashion world small is big; they need young girls as coat hangers. No more, no less. White is the new black and in the fashion world 13 is the new 18.'
Michele Mullen wants age limits lowered for fashion shows and magazine covers to give her 15-year-old daughter the chance to join the industry. She claims daughter Baylee, who has signed with Melbourne and Los Angeles model agencies, is well prepared to enter the elite fashion world, the Herald Sun reported.
Mrs Mullen has stated, 'I think she's missing out on opportunities now purely because of her age, not because of her ability to cope with it. In a lot of careers, the younger you start, the better the opportunities you have. Look at all the sports people. Why is fashion different?'