I did work experience in a top agency once so I know a lot of inside info.
If you see 5'7 on stats, that can be anything really from 5'4 to 5'6. 5'7 is literally the shortest an agency like to portray someone, and that is if they
really have to. If they can push it a bit they will.
Also you really have to take into account the measuring process. If a girl walks into an agency in flat shoes, like converse or even creepers, that of course can add 1-2 inches. (Even converse which look flat really aren't
). So for example someone who is actually 5'6 will be coming out at 5'7/5'8 at the chart, then the agency say "5'8! Great lets sign you", add an inch on to that height and before you know it, a 5'6 girl is on a website at 5'9.
Some agencies do make their girls take their shoes off but the kinds of people who work in agencies tend to be laid back, busy, and really can't be bothered to watch a girl sat on the floor unlacing her shoes. They just wham bam get them stood by that chart.
It is kind of sad really because Kate was so special and uniquely gorgeous, and I rarely see anyone who comes close. Yet agencies always seem to push a "5'7" or "5'8" girl saying, well 'Kate was short and did well so why can't our model'. And before you know it there are tons of shorter girls with top agencies and none of them really reach that standard Kate did. I wish shorter girls would only be signed if they are actually out of this world special. You know?
Not only that but a lot of short girls who have a pretty face (like a lot of girls do), tend to self publicise like crazy on social networking sites, (instagram being a great example). They bump up their following to a few hundred thousand, promote themselves, pay some photographers to start off with or use local photographers to portray themselves to be something and then before you know it they're signed to a top agency which is hugely down to a following they have built up.
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes, you just have to try and hold back any naivety really
