What it Takes to Be a KCFW Model

No one can deny the glamour and appeal of being a runway model. You get to wear fabulous clothes, get your hair and makeup done, and most exciting, you get to strut down a runway with every eye in the room on you.

While it is true that runway modeling is exciting, actually walking down the runway makes up a very small percentage of the time you spend on runway day. The reality of being a runway model is long hours backstage waiting for your turn in hair and makeup. The reality can sometimes be wearing shoes that are too small or too big but walking like they are a perfect fit. The reality can even be wearing an outfit so elaborate that you can’t sit down for hours!

But the reality is also that all of those things are worth it for the exhilarating, breathtaking minute of your life when you are the most glamorous person in the room. The minute where you feel so powerful that nothing can stop you!

So, how do aspiring models become Kansas City Fashion Week runway models?

Auditions

Three or four months before each season, KCFW holds several open casting calls for models. These auditions are announced on our social media pages and website, so aspiring models should keep a close eye on those sitesAt KCFW auditions, you should expect to have your measurements taken, have a headshot taken, and demonstrate your runway walk in front of the Fashion Week committee. Ladies should be sure to wear heels, and practice walking in them prior to your audition!

A few weeks after auditions, models will be notified whether or not they have made it onto the official model roster that designers will use to book models for their KCFW shows.

Model Workshop

Once you’ve made it through castings and have been accepted onto the KCFW model roster, what’s next? All models on the roster will be invited to attend a model workshop that is held once per season. This workshop is run by our Talent Director and Director of Production, who instruct models on walking a runway, posing, and more. This gives aspiring models who may not have much runway experience the chance to learn techniques that will make them great runway models.

The Perfect Runway Walk

The only way to achieve the perfect runway walk is to practice, practice, practice. Ladies should wear their heels everywhere they go, even around the house, until they feel as comfortable walking in them as they do in flats.

In addition, there are a few pointers that models should keep in mind:

• Practice the “C walk,” placing one foot directly in front of the other while walking. This is harder than it sounds!

• Keep your posture in mind! Walk with your back straight and your shoulders back.

• Swing your arms naturally. Stiff arms look awkward, but arms that swing too much look crazy!

• Keep your eyes up! Models often are afraid of tripping and stare at the ground in front of them when they walk. You should be looking straight ahead the entire time.

• Don’t over-pose at the end of the runway. It can be easy to get carried away with all those photographers taking your picture, but remember that the best pictures are those where the model looks natural and is posing minimally.

• Above all, exude confidence. It can be a nerve-wracking experience, but models who walk with confidence will own the runway.