Many aspiring young models make a fundamental mistake when starting out in their modeling career as they neglect the importance of learning to how to actually walk as catwalk model should.
They will often spend a lot of money on fitness regimes and dietary products in order to get in shape and they will then spend even more on a professional photographer so that they can build up their portfolio for when they send it to modeling agencies and executives. But when it comes to meeting the agency for that all important interview or audition they find it difficult to walk in four inch killer heels and are a long way from resembling how a model should walk on the catwalk.
It shouldn’t be underestimated just how difficult it is to walk down a catwalk. There is so much pressure, not only are the whole audience looking at you, there will also be photographers and, depending which catwalk, the whole of the fashion industry could be staring at you, so it is crucial you make a good impression. The same can be said no matter if you are walking at your first modeling audition or at the New York fashion show.
So it is really important you learn how to walk like a model whether it is for the catwalk or an audition. To start off with it is a good idea to choose some comfortable shoes to practice in 2 inch heels will be good for this, just to get you going. Remember, you can work up to bigger heels and more difficult shoes later.
Next, you need to adopt the posture that is typical with models on the catwalk. Make sure you push your shoulders back but move your hips and pelvic area forward ever so slightly, in order to give the appearance that you are leaning back. You should be able to do this whilst balancing a book on your head.
Once you have your posture spot on you then need to focus on the actual technique of walking like a model. Here you need to focus on walking, heel first, followed by your toes, whilst all the time making sure your body weight is balanced on the balls of your feet. The next stage is to walking with your toes facing forward; with one foot in front of the other so that when you walk they form a make a perfect line. By doing this you will give your body that ‘swing’ that you see when a model walks. Try to imagine you are walking along a piece of rope as this should help you get to grips with the walking style. Focus on an object in front of you, remember to step eloquently and gracefully and then just go for it. This will no doubt feel strange at first but you need to practice and master the technique.
To help you learn this walking technique it can be a good idea to watch other models and study how they walk. Also, you may want to video yourself walking so you can see where you might be going wrong and what can be improved upon.
Modeling isn’t just about how beautiful you are, you also need to look and act like model and being able to catwalk, properly, is just as important as looking good on any photograph.
