How to Be the Perfect Runway Model in 8 Steps

Updated on Sep 23, 2014 at 11:45 AM

If we could invent a new fashion-ism, it might just be this: "Behind every great model is a great backstage pep-talk board." The reason? Many designers provide their models with photo inspiration, notes of gratitude, and motivational runway directives on giant poster boards (you know, those ones we all used for school projects) for what can only be summed up as preshow, pep-talk fodder. From the highly contextual (we never knew you were such a storyteller, Michael Kors!) to the aspirational (Delpozo, we dare you to make us swoon a little more) to the purely visual, we've rounded up our favorite Spring 2015 backstage messages we've spotted thus far. And hopefully this will enlighten those "what are they thinking?" curiosities as we head to Paris Fashion Week. Keep scrolling.

Describe Your "Girl"

According to Amir Taghi, this model is the "most interesting girl in the room" and "the world." But, please, whatever you do, Ms. Most Interesting, do not stop at the turn.

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words

Before heading out on the catwalk, get inspired. Dig a little deeper into the designer's thought process. For Misha Nonoo, it was all about providing models and the crew with detailed visuals for context.

Be Aspirational — and Inspirational

The Delpozo girl is not only gorgeously dressed, she's also the kind of person we all want to be when we "grow up."

Clear Directions and a Little Gratitude . . .

Go a long way at BCBG Max Azria. (And seriously, don't stop at the turn.)

Words of Encouragement

At Preen by Thorton Bregazzi, the pep talk is real. If phrases like "hot rocking" and "hip hopping" were used to describe us, we'd be pretty psyched.

Pick a Quote

It got deep behind the scenes at 3.1 Phillip Lim, just look to the selected Leonard Cohen quote and dark photo visuals for proof.

Have Fun

At Betsey Johnson, her cast of drag queens moonlighting as runway models certainly did just that.

Set the Stage

Michael Kors provided his models with a complete Spring 2015 story, and let's be honest, it sounds pretty dreamy.