InkMyAfrica

Chapter 7

Sira P. Kanté
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
April 17,2016

"Good morning class. Today we have a special guest coming to teach you all how to walk the walk.", professor Smith said trying to be funny, but it didn't work. He is not funny at all, he's actually really corny.

"Can we give it a drum roll.", he began to pat his desk, we all joined until  Tyra Banks walked through the class doors.

Screams and sobs were heard throughout the class. "Hello guys!", she made some noise as well. "Ok class simmer down.", smith tried to control the screams.

"Hello everyone, for the next week I will be teaching you how to strut down the run way. First, I will teach you lessons that you will need to write down. That's only for two days. Then, the next three will be fun. Wednesday, will be picking out your outfits. Thursday, will be the teaching of the walk and Friday will be the performance, in front of each other and other classes.", she finished up.

After the announcement everyone cheered including me. "Let's get started, if you all could take out a notebook and pen."

We did as said and sat quietly until she was ready to began.

"First, always set your chin facing slightly down. Don't hang or droop your head- act like you have the invisible string attached at the top of your head holding you up. Because you will be above the audience on the catwalk, keeping your chin facing slightly down will let the audience see more of your face. Keeping your chin slightly tilted down will add angle to your face and will help lend you a little bit of attitude.", every word she spoke I wrote, I needed all the information I could receive.

"Don't smile, and keep your mouth closed in a natural position. You don't want to distract from the clothes you are wearing with a smile. Look in the mirror and try to hold your mouth naturally to see how it looks and feels. Ask someone else how your facial expressions look. Sometimes other people will be able to see things that you don't notice.", she walked around the classroom, noticing the posture students were sitting. I made sure to sit up straight, so she had nothing to fix.

"Keep your eyes focused on something ahead of you. When it comes to making a good supermodel facial expression, the emphasis in the facial expression is on the eyes and eyebrows. Keep your eyes fixed on a point, and do not look around you. Stay concentrated on where you are going, and look alert and at attention. Focus on something that gives you purpose, and it will show in your eyes.", she stared down at me then smiled. Turning her back towards me she made her way back to the chalkboard.

"Stand up straight! Imagine that there is an invisible string holding you up from your spine to the top of your head. Keep your shoulders slightly back, and stand up as straight as you possibly can. This posture is what is going to sell the model presence the most, even if you are not actually tall like a model. Place one foot in front of the other and walk with long strides. Imagine that you are walking on a rope by keeping one foot in front of the other walk, which will allow your hips to swing from side to side in that classic model way. As you strut forward, try to project confidence with your walk.", she did her famous walk.

"Allow your arms to hang at your sides, and keep your hands relaxed. You do not need to swing your arms quite as much as your body will naturally. Let your arms hang and swing only slightly. This will make you look cool and composed as you walk down the catwalk. Practice walking with your heels on. No catwalk strut is complete without a tall pair of heels to give you height.", she began to pack up her things.

"And that's all you need to know for today. Have a nice night.", she left the classroom.