This is a popular time of the year for Fashion Weeks to start regionally and internationally. There is no lack of watching them live or recorded on video via the Internet. You may notice that they may have different locations (and designs) for runways that they walk on styled for individual shows. It can be interesting to see what's being choreographed and the themes they're using that season!
Self-Education:
If you are an aspiring model that would like to learn the confident "walk"...watch those on-line runway shows and see if you can catch on to your own visual tips. Have a friend video tape you and take pictures, so you can see random looks on your face and how the camera catches your looks. Use this as self-critique.
It is not overly difficult or super easy to learn, so expect to practice (and practice) until it feels consistent and looks like it's comfortable for others to watch.
Here are some ways to practice in the privacy of your home or on a mock runway:
At my house, I fold my area rugs in half to get them out of the way, so that the walking space is a solid, flat surface for the model. I use masking tape on the floor to place one straight line from the "start" to the very end of the walking area. Try to make the length as long as possible. The tape is to act as a visual aide to keep the model straight as they walk by learning not to "look down." They will cross one foot over the other foot as they keep their posture.
The trick is to maintain a "focal point" to keep your balance. For practice, take a piece of tape and place it on the wall at least a few feet away from the end of the runway. As you begin your pace, step out straight by looking at that focal point on the wall. Out of your "peripheral vision" you can see the line on the floor. As you get toward the end, step into a stance before you turn to walk back. After you master the balance in high heels of all heights, you can work on different degrees of poses at the end of the runway.
Other details that will enhance your walk will be your effortless flow and different degrees of looks on your face. You will take into account where your arms move, the kind of garments you are wearing, the type of shape that the runway is, the props, make-up, hair, other models, possible stairs or obstacles, and special instructions that you receive.
How many videos do people love to watch of models wiping out on the runway? Answer: Too many if you are the one that falls! Do the designers like it? What do you think? It's their show, but it's your reputation. Models are expected to practically be able to walk on air with toothpicks as heels, so it's "never" any ones fault, but the model. It can be unrealistic, but you need to keep your confidence.
If you trip, Get Up and keep making it work...sometimes a simple acknowledgement or nod of the head will draw some empathy out of the audience rather than the secret...or, not so secret, laughs. Either way, it'll be on YouTube, right? ;) Have a sense of humor. Try?
Remember, your safety is a priority, but take extra care of what you are wearing and show the garment off as if it is a work of art on your body even if it's the cause of your secret embarrassment. Backstage, keep treating that garment like gold until it is in someone else's possession.
