How to Runway Walk by Naomi Campbell

Developing the perfect runway walk can make a huge
difference in an aspiring fashion model's career. With supermodel Naomi
Campbell's help, learn the step-by-step process of a confident and smooth model
walk.
Naomi Campbell: A Quick Overview
Naomi Elaine Campbell, born in England in 1970, is one of
the world's most recognizable high fashion supermodels, having worked in the
modeling industry since the age of 15. She has worked as an actress, singer,
and entrepreneur in addition to modeling.
Naomi has appeared on the covers of major fashion magazines
and in advertising campaigns for haute couture legends such as Fendi, Isaac
Mizrahi, Louis Vuitton, Thierry Mugler, Ralph Lauren, and others. She has
walked the runway for Versace, Chanel, and Givenchy during New York Fashion
Week, Milan Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week.
What Is a Runway Walk?
A runway walk is the unique strut of a model on a fashion
show runway or catwalk, performed with confidence, ease, and a unique style
specific to the individual model. It takes more effort and focus than meets the
eye to perfect a model's runway walk in front of an audience, and many elite
models require training. The best runway walks show how the clothing fits the
catwalk model's body in motion while highlighting the fashion designer's
couture.
How to Runway Walk
Taking the time to discover and develop a runway ramp walk
that makes you feel confident will help you book modeling work as an aspiring
runway model. To create your iconic runway walk, follow these steps:
1. Get acquainted with the outfits. The amount of movement
you can achieve will be determined by your runway collection outfits. Examine
the clothing you'll be wearing ahead of time to get a sense of its fluidity and
weight. Backstage, walk around in your outfits and shoes (especially if you'll
be wearing heels) to see where your ensemble restricts or allows movement.
2. Maintain your posture. Always keep your shoulders back
and your head straight, and your eyes level. You may feel stiff at first, but
with practice, you will be able to walk with a tall, straight posture and your
eyes forward in a relaxed, confident manner.
3. Choose a facial expression and a gaze. Fashion show
choreographers may direct you in terms of the mood they want you to express
during the show, but your overall expression should be one of control,
relaxation, and confidence. Look ahead by selecting an area at the back of the
room at eye level to watch and concentrate on as you walk with your chin
slightly down.
4. Allow the music to guide you. Pacing on the catwalk is
important for the overall flow of the show. Set your walking speed to the beat
of the music. If the music does not match a rhythmic walking speed, use the
speed of the models ahead of you as a guide, keeping enough distance between
you and them.
5. Take long strides with your feet parallel. Step one foot
directly in front of the other, toes forward. This type of walking takes
practice, and your ankles may knock together at first. Maintain a consistent
pace by keeping your strides long and your knees slightly higher than usual.
6. Avoid swinging your hips. You might feel compelled
to swing your hips as you walk. Walking with long strides and good posture
causes your hips to swing at an appropriate level.
7. Allow your arms to swing freely. Allow your arms to move
naturally, with a slight swing and no emphasis. Avoid making distracting
movements or moving your arms to the music.
8. Decide where you'll stop and pivot. Avoid guessing where
you'll stop and turn at the end of the runway during your model walk. To keep
the flow smooth, slow down as you approach the spot, then stop, pose for two or
three seconds, and smoothly pivot your body, allowing your head to be the last
part to move.
9. Maintain the return energy. Maintain your energy as you
return to the start of the catwalk. You may feel relieved that you've finished
the first walk and turn, causing you to relax too much or speed up. Maintain a
consistent pace and place equal emphasis on the return walk as the outgoing
walk.
10. Practice at home. The more you practice your runway
walk, the more confident you will be when it comes to landing a modeling job.
Full videos of runway models can be found online for inspiration as you work on
your own style.
5 Runway Walk Tips by Naomi Campbell
Naomi's years of catwalk experience have taught her how to
walk the runway under intense pressure with beauty, strength, and
self-confidence. Consider Naomi's advice as you develop your own model walk:
1. Be self-assured and confident at all times. Naomi
suggests that if you must focus on one thing, make it confidence. "You
must mean every step you take." "You must mean it," she says.
"You can't do it timidly." You can't just say, "I'm not
sure." You must take the initiative and follow through. Even if it's
incorrect”but there is no such thing as wrong or right. You must act with
conviction."
2. Don't be concerned about the audience. Naomi keeps the
spotlight on herself as she walks the runway. "What I can tell you is that
when I'm walking down the runway, I don't see the audience," she says.
"No, I don't. I can hear music. I can hear the beat. I can hear bass. I
can see the light. That is all."
3. Make the clothes the main attraction. Naomi believes that
your walk should revolve around your clothes, not you. "Let your clothes
guide your walk." I truly believe that it is not about showing off
yourself, but rather about showing off the clothes." She suggests making a
connection with the outfit, whether you like it or not. "You have to vibe
with that outfit, and you have to make sure that you're wearing the outfit, not
the outfit wearing you, and that you feel comfortable in it, even if you've
only known it for that day."
4. Take long strides and move slowly. Naomi recommends
taking long strides and slowing down when walking down the runway. "It's
important to take long strides because they make you look confident," she
says. "When you just walk too fast... What is the distinction between your
runway walk and walking down the street?" She suggests acting as if your
walk has a purpose. "It's almost as if you're working up to
something," she adds. "That's exactly how it should be. You're making
your way towards something."
5. Perfect practice makes perfect. Naomi recommends
practicing as much as possible to become the best model you can be. "I
encourage you to walk to a song that gives you energy whenever you hear
it," she says. "Record yourself, make adjustments, and remember that
at the end of the day, you want to walk into a room with a stride and presence
that reflects your personality."