Fashion/Editorial Models (Male and Female) and Plus Models need to have a strong runway walk. As a model in one of these categories, you not only need to be able to take great pictures but walk a runway as well. People have a habit of either oversimplifying a runway walk or over complicating it. It's not rocket science, but at the same time, it requires more thought, body awareness and control than you would use while walking down the street.
This video sums it up. This is how to accomplish a basic runway walk. As the video states, different designers and different shows will want different types of walks, but they are all just a variation of the basic walk.
Walk Like A Runway Model (Video)
Posture: stand with your back against a wall, your entire body should be touching the wall....head, shoulders, butt, feet. Now step away from the wall and walk while holding that same posture. If you've never tried this before, it might take a few tries before it feels comfortable. Some models will push their hips forward and lean their shoulders back to create the same posture instead of trying to focus on their entire body. This works pretty well as long as you do it right! Don't over exaggerate or under....exaggerate. A runway walk should look as natural and effortless as possible.
Your arms should move naturally, but as little as possible. Don't swing them on purpose, just let them move on their own.
Your feet should point straight ahead of you. Either imagine walking a straight line, or actually cross your feet across your body as you walk. (only slightly so it doesn't look forced)
Your facial expression should be RELAXED AND NATURAL!!! Don't look stiff, scared, awkward etc etc etc. There are a million pictures being taken of you as you walk down the runway, so you don't want a bad facial expression to get in the way of a great shot. Think of something that makes you feel happy or calm. Smile with your eyes, not your mouth.
Keep your hips under control. Some girls can get away with not manipulating their natural hip movement at all, while others will need to focus on NOT allowing their hips to sway from side to side. This depends on your size and body type as well as the way you move naturally.
* CLASSES: Some agencies will train you to walk at no cost, others will want you to take classes. I would recommend taking the advice of your agency UNLESS.....
1) you already have runway experience and you know the basics
2) you have a background in dance, gymnastics, or other types of movement.
3) they ask you to take a series of more than 3 classes (there's just not that much to teach)
*Commercial Models do not need runway classes.
*Promotional Models do not need runway classes.
*Fitness Models do not need runway classes.
*You do not need to attend a modeling school in order to learn how to walk the runway.
This video sums it up. This is how to accomplish a basic runway walk. As the video states, different designers and different shows will want different types of walks, but they are all just a variation of the basic walk.
Walk Like A Runway Model (Video)
Posture: stand with your back against a wall, your entire body should be touching the wall....head, shoulders, butt, feet. Now step away from the wall and walk while holding that same posture. If you've never tried this before, it might take a few tries before it feels comfortable. Some models will push their hips forward and lean their shoulders back to create the same posture instead of trying to focus on their entire body. This works pretty well as long as you do it right! Don't over exaggerate or under....exaggerate. A runway walk should look as natural and effortless as possible.
Your arms should move naturally, but as little as possible. Don't swing them on purpose, just let them move on their own.
Your feet should point straight ahead of you. Either imagine walking a straight line, or actually cross your feet across your body as you walk. (only slightly so it doesn't look forced)
Your facial expression should be RELAXED AND NATURAL!!! Don't look stiff, scared, awkward etc etc etc. There are a million pictures being taken of you as you walk down the runway, so you don't want a bad facial expression to get in the way of a great shot. Think of something that makes you feel happy or calm. Smile with your eyes, not your mouth.
Keep your hips under control. Some girls can get away with not manipulating their natural hip movement at all, while others will need to focus on NOT allowing their hips to sway from side to side. This depends on your size and body type as well as the way you move naturally.
* CLASSES: Some agencies will train you to walk at no cost, others will want you to take classes. I would recommend taking the advice of your agency UNLESS.....
1) you already have runway experience and you know the basics
2) you have a background in dance, gymnastics, or other types of movement.
3) they ask you to take a series of more than 3 classes (there's just not that much to teach)
*Commercial Models do not need runway classes.
*Promotional Models do not need runway classes.
*Fitness Models do not need runway classes.
*You do not need to attend a modeling school in order to learn how to walk the runway.
