Learn Those Heels & That Runway Walk, Newbie Models...No Exceptions!!!

Notice I put three exclamation points on my blog post title? That's because this topic, as simple as it may seem, is SO important if you are a new/inexperienced model that wants to do fashion shows! This particular blog post is for all models of all heights that want to be on a runway.

I'm not a snob so yes, I am addressing not just models that are participating in huge, top notch fashion shows, I'm also including the smaller, local ones--even the ones put on by fashion design students.

They all count as fashion shows and regardless of whether the outfits you'll be wearing are brand name or put together by an aspiring designer, the end result is still the same: you want to make sure you showcase the clothes and rock the runway!

New models, if you want to get hired repeatedly for fashion shows, you've got to learn how to walk in high heels. I cannot say this enough times! Although you are new/inexperienced, this is not an excuse to NOT know how to walk in heels and do a runway walk. Practice, practice, practice!

Before even submitting yourself or attending castings for shows, buy a great pair of quality high heels that are no shorter than 4 inches. That's right...4 inches minimum! Even if you're already over 5'8", you'll more than likely be required to be even taller by wearing super high heels so get used to it, sister! The sooner you get comfortable wearing shoes of this height, the more confident you'll be in castings and walking in the actual shows.

If you happen to be a shorter model, that's all the more reason to be on top of your game! Regardless of how many shows I've done, any new event I participate in, I'm always being given the stank eye by some of the taller models that usually wonder why I'm even in the line up. So you better believe when I slap my 4-5 inch killers on and do my walk, I literally strut as if my life depended on it.

You won't believe how many times I've gotten nods of approval from the same tall models that snubbed me at first glance once they saw that I knew what I was doing. Obviously there are some sour feelings when it comes to tall models seeing shorter models in the same fashion shows as them but one of their main concerns isn't just the height issue--it's also their fear that you won't know what you're doing and make everyone else look bad--at least that's the feedback I regularly receive from conversations I have with fashion models that are of the standard fashion height.

Don't give anyone the satisfaction of saying/thinking, "See? That's why we don't need short models doing runway." Once you get your heels, break them in right away so that you don't look like you're in pain every time you wear them. The heels should feel like sneakers after you're through with them--I can run track in my 4 inch nude colored high heels without breaking a sweat lol.

Spend a few minutes each day--or whenever you get the chance--walking back and forth in a straight line and on a flat surface (no carpet!!!). Also practice the poses you'll do when you get to the end of the runway. There are more than enough YouTube videos of fashion shows to use for reference. Please use these resources...they are your best friends!

In case you can't tell, I'm pretty passionate about this subject and when it comes to shorter models, yes, I will be very hard on driving this point home. I did a fitting/rehearsal today for an upcoming show and one of the models (I don't know if she was new or not), stated that she wobbles in heels that are higher than 2 inches. Ummm....what? I'm sure you get my point. If you're uncomfortable walking in high heels during the rehearsal/fitting, you're going to look uncomfortable when you're on the stage during the show.

The bottom line: if you want to be a force to be reckoned with on the runway, tall or short, new models should make it a priority to master walking in high heels. Even if you're a new model, if you practice your walk diligently and develop your own style, when you appear on that runway during the show, the audience will think you've been doing it for years...and THAT'S when you know you've got it.