WHAT IS CATWALK?

A masterpiece needs manifestation to attract awe-inspiring look, praise-tipped tongue and the heart filled with appreciation. The fashion at the embryo stage was lying forgot within the tailoring shops and only got appreciation from a limited circle where the wearer used to move. Moreover, fashion or clothing had region-specific presentation and had wide range of diversity. It was thought that fashion or specifically clothing should be formulized by putting it on display through the models.

WHO INTRODUCED CATWALK

The fashion industry was rolling in the revolutionary changes with the advent of Napoleonic second royalty and France was witnessing huge economic and political activities and fashion began to take patronage from the royal palace. It was believed that Charles Frederick Worth was the inventor of Houte Couture and introduced models to display modern clothing and took a step ahead of presentation on mannequin. Catwalk fashion show was pioneered in the gilded ballrooms of Paris in early 20^th century.

• OTHER VERSION

It is believed that in the midcentury, local models walked on narrow runways at the departmental stores to show the customers how the dresses appeared on a moving body. In 1960s, catwalk turned out to be an integral part of the high-profile fashion shows. Over the years, catwalk became an essential rather foremost part of the fashion shows where top brands put their dress on display.

• WHY ONLY CATWALK?

Why are the models made to walk like a cat on the runway to exhibit the fashion designs. Why had the pioneers of the fashion show opted for catwalk. There could have been other methods too for the purpose. The more relevant question can also pop up in many minds if it is just for the purpose of presenting the fashion designs. These questions may boggle many minds but the answer can nowhere to be found. However, catwalk had been chosen for fashion shows because of the soft foot, delicate steps and carefulness of the cat as these aspects give beauty, attraction and elegance to the one who walks like that.

CATWALK MODELS

Catwalk models or runway models have a peculiar expression while striding down the runway wearing the trendy clothes of famous fashion designers. They strut on the narrow pathway with straight steps, stolid and expressionless face and size zero skinny body showing that the focus should be directed to the wearable items rather than the models themselves. A large curious audience from across the fashion industry and media gather at the catwalk with their watchful eyes to scan the fashion clothing, accessories and even the models. If a model has the ability to walk backward, spin and impress a large chunk of industry people while wearing beautiful and elegant dress, he or she can find the inroads into the industry.

Catwalk models have usually a dancing background as they can flaunt the houte couture while walking down the runway in a perfect way. They must have an elegant gait, photogenic face and a thin and slender body giving an expression of living, moving, strutting image which suits to the designer’s desired look.

Catwalk models should possess certain qualities which can be discussed as under;

PHYSICAL FITNESS

The requirements for a model may be different depending upon the priorities of the designers and brands however, the criterion for catwalk model is universal in nature as it is widely believed that a model should be tall, thin, slender, beautiful, elegant and attractive. So, huge opportunities are lying bare for the models with varying body shapes and sizes. It is important for the models to maintain their appearance with healthy diet, proper and routine exercise, adequate consumption of water, skin care and hair care.

• CONFIDENCE

Confidence is the basic prerequisite for a model because he or she cannot show an impressive performance without a larger amount of confidence. A good performance is imbued with high level of confidence as a model has to face many inquisitive and curious looks while walking on the runway. Moreover, a model has to wear variety of clothes and shoes and has to know the art to perform with such a huge variety of things.

POISE AND POSTURE

Poise and posture are the climax of the catwalk model’s performance. At the end of the runway, a model has to stop, take a turn, stop for a while to give a bold pose to highlight the clothes and accessories and provide an opportunity to the photographers to capture the moment that is the crux of the whole exercise.

STAMINA

Physical exertion and workout are the basic part of the job of catwalk models. Fashion shows require long hours for preparations and other such spade work and the models have to wait for long hours while sitting idle. This exercise may start in the early morning and continue till late at night. In this situation, a model should have patience, resilience, energy, spirit and stamina to keep them lively and presentable all through the exercise.

• PROFESSIONALISM

Professional approach is always a key to success in all the fields of human activities but it is more relevant for the catwalk models as they have to work with many people like designers, photographers, stagehands, makeup artists and more importantly with other models. In order to develop a favorable, friendly and working relationship, professionalism is a must.

In a nutshell, catwalk is a complete industry and a vibrant profession which offers wide range of opportunities to the newbies. However, the profession is highly demanding as apprentices have to face tough competition, denials, criticism, adverse remarks and unfavorable looks in the beginning. While in the profession, the models have to work diligently to maintain their appearance and keep themselves relevant in the field. They have to work for long hours in unfavorable conditions and with various people and such a situation always tell upon health and psychological wellbeing of the models.  

FAQs (Frequent Asked Questions)