​How To Achieve Catwalk Confidence During Times Of Self-Doubt

By: Jessicka Bell 

Here’s the reality about catwalk confidence: It’s all about projection.
 
Forget about what your life is currently truly like, or how your outfit itches like crazy. Your focus should always be on selling an image. Nothing else matters when you’re on the runway, you just have to be, in Tyra Banks’ words, “fierce and fabulous.”
 
Catwalk confidence does not only apply on the runway; it will also help you tremendously when you feel doubtful about a lot of things. Life can throw all kinds of curveballs at you, but if you have this kind of confidence, you can fake it until you make it.
 
Runway and print models from top modelling agencies will always tell you that the confidence they exude originated from a place of uncertainty. Very few personalities in the fashion world start off with amazing, intact confidence that radiates wherever they go and whatever they may be doing. Most of them start off rather insecure. However, over time, they develop confidence, a thick skin, and the ability to look at things objectively in a way that silences their self-doubt.
 
If you wish to develop catwalk confidence to beat frequent episodes of self-doubt, here are some tips provided by a leading model talent management agency.

​1.     Take care of yourself. 

Whenever you feel somewhat inadequate, aim to determine ways you can be better. One of the most important aspects of self-improvement is health.
 
Start eating more nutritious food, get more exercise, and meditate. These self-care efforts can do so much in improving how you see yourself. In addition, these can improve your body’s chemical composition. Eating vitamin- and mineral-enriched food can significantly improve your mood; ditto with working out and meditating.
 
Most importantly, the deliberate decision to take care of yourself is an obvious expression of valuing oneself. When you value yourself, you present a strong counter-attack to the voices of self-doubt that you hear in your head, and even the voices of people who belittle you.

​2.     Hold your head up high. 

A mere change in posture can boost confidence. When you stand tall, you create a powerful presence for yourself, which other people can be expected to respond to with admiration and respect.
 
Once you see people responding to you the way you want them to, whatever self-doubt you may be feeling can go away, even just temporarily.

​3.     Dress your best. 

Stylists from a talent agency say that dressing beautifully can have a huge impact on how you feel on the inside. Drown out the voices that prompt you to be cruel to yourself by assuming and maintaining an outward appearance that is the opposite of what those voices are telling you.
 
Also, research reveals that appearance strongly influences other people’s perception of you. Become a sharp dresser and you will be perceived as someone who is successful, intelligent, trustworthy, and has authority over others.
 
You may be feeling down on yourself, but when you dress impressively, who’ll be able to tell that you’re not quite self-assured? When others see you as “smart and in-charge,” you won’t be able to help but believe that you are.

​4.     Walk with purpose. 

​Fix that slouch and avoid the tendency to drag your feet when you walk. There’s nothing like walking and looking like you know where you’re going to make you feel like you really know where you’re heading. This simple action transforms the feeling of uncertainty into adventure.
 
Young models share quite often that when they go to casting calls in order to book jobs, they usually find themselves in a completely new place and without a proper clue as to how to get from point A to point B. However, they walk with a clear purpose – that is, to get a casting call – and more often than not, they find their way and achieve their target outcome.
 
These four tips are all organic approaches to developing confidence. You don’t need to change what you naturally have – you just need a healthier mindset. With catwalk confidence, you’ll be able to deal with moments of self-doubt appropriately and ensure your advantage in the runway of life.

​AUTHOR BIO
​
Jessicka Bell co-founded the AgenC, one of the leading model/talent agencies in the Middle East, in 2014. After just three years in the market, the AgenC now works with most (if not all) of the heavy hitters in media and fashion, as well as represents over 1,000 talents ranging from international models through to cast, kids, creatives and photographers.