Runway model in modeling: meaning, example and tips

How it works

The runway has the strictest requirements: height, usually from about 172–175 cm for women and 185 cm for men, and measurements that allow the model to wear sample-size clothes. Designers make one sample of each look and fit it to the models.

A show is short but the preparation long: castings, fittings, a rehearsal, hair and make-up backstage. During fashion week a model may walk several shows a day.

A good runway model has not only the proportions but the walk: steady, rhythmic, suited to the mood of the collection. It can and should be trained.

In practice

During Milan fashion week a model has eight castings a day and a fitting in the evening. She books two shows. On the day of the first she arrives at 10 am, hair and make-up run until 2 pm, the rehearsal is at 2.30 and the show at 4 lasts twelve minutes. Straight afterwards she heads backstage for the second.

What to watch for

Practise your walk in heels and without.
Know your exact measurements and shoe size.
Keep your phone charged during fashion week: plans change by the minute.

Related terms

Runway and fashion weeksCatwalkA catwalk is the long raised platform or path along which models walk at a fashion show; the word is also used for the show itself or for runway work.Runway and fashion weeksModel walkThe model walk is the runway walking technique: upright posture, a step from the hip, feet placed on one line, relaxed arms and eyes straight ahead.Runway and fashion weeksFashion weekA fashion week is a period of several days in which fashion houses in one city present new collections in shows; the main ones are in New York, London, Milan and Paris.How a job happensFittingA fitting is the session before a show or a shoot at which garments are fitted to the model and it is decided which look they will wear.Requirements and looksSample sizeSample size is the size in which designers make the first sample of a collection for shows, lookbooks and shoots; models have to fit it.Runway and fashion weeksBackstageBackstage is the space behind the catwalk where models get hair and make-up done before the show, change and wait for their exit.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

01How tall does a runway model need to be?

Usually from about 172–175 cm for women and 185 cm for men, though every designer chooses differently.

02Do runway models earn a lot?

Shows pay very differently: prestigious houses sometimes pay newcomers little, but a show opens the door to campaigns.

Runway model