How to Do a Successful Runway Audition
. Practice, Practice, Practice. Look at the videos of past runway shows of the event so you know what the casting director will be looking for, and practice at home. Do it in front of the mirror, and selfie videotape yourself. Showing up unprepared is an ineffective use of time for all.
. Three of the most important part of runway walk: (1) walk (2) pose and (3) turns. Pay attention to all three.
. Runway walk is about representing the cloth the way the runway producer asks you to. Refrain from doing the dramatic move on the runway at your own whim that distracts the audience’s attention from fashion
. Pay close attention to ALL the dates and times — shows, fitting, and walkthrough to make sure you can commit to the work. Dropping out after you made your availability known creates significant disruption for the show, as finding the right replacement model can be very difficult. It can negatively impact your professional reputation. Unfortunately, life can bring unforeseen emergencies. If it happens, keep the bar for making the drop-out decision high — the closer to the show date it is, the higher should be the bar. The earlier you sync with the runway producer the better you control the damage.
. Pay attention to the model spec the specific show is asking for in model-call, and only show up if you fulfill those requirements.
. Respect is key — get enough information from all possible sources, including models who walked in the past for that show, whether it ensures a respectful work environment for the models before you consider attending the audition.
. If you have specific boundaries (say, not modeling swim-wears or other types of reveal), make it known to the casting director on or before the audition. It’s important you make sure you refrain from doing what you aren’t comfortable with before it happens, rather than succumbing to any pressure.
. It’s important to recognize that, the designer delivers his/her own vision, not the models’, through the models’ looks on the runway. That includes not only clothing and accessories but also, hair and makeup styling, audio-visual, etc.
. Show up with the right outfit — for females — bring high heels, and wear an outfit that shows your walk clearly and easy to take measurements correctly. For males — bring covered shoes (not slippers)
. Showing up with the right personal hygiene is key. Your appearance, communication, and behavior should demonstrate you are serious about this role
. Bring comp-cards if you have them. Bring a soft copy of your modeling image for the casting director
. Have a clear understanding of your expectations — payments or TFP, benefits before the audition
. Maintain a professional social media presence. Be ready to add value to the show by offering promotions through your channels. However, if you are unwilling to do it, let it be known at the audition.
.