Sashaying down the runway, facing bright lights and flashing cameras, in front of an audience filled with designers, celebrities, fashion industry peers and the press, may look easy, but first, one must master ‘the walk’.
Alva Page is the man behind the scenes making the runway magic happen. Dubbed ‘King of the Catwalk’ by his peers, Page, who has been in the fashion industry for more than two decades, recently held a series of workshops to prepare 67 local models for the Cayman InStyle Fashion Week being held 18-21 April.
During the intense workshops, held 15-18 Feb., the international model coach taught top industry skills and offered tips for success.
Originally from New York, Page has worked with top models and celebrities across the world and has appeared in various media publications and award-winning productions
Page told the Compass that the models learned “self-discovery, runway walking, how to pose, the etiquette of the runway, and … how to present themselves on the runway with the designers.”
He said, “Each model that was a part of the workshop has so much to offer in so many different ways. I saw future high-fashion, commercial and talent models in these workshops.”
Page praised Cayman for producing such home-grown talents as supermodel Selita Ebanks, actress Grace Byers and international designers Norma Ebanks, Tiger Lily and Isy B.
When it comes to attending his class or workshop, Page noted, “It’s about cleaning up the inside of a model [first] before they even hit the runway. It’s about discovering who you are and uncovering those hidden gems that was always inside of them. When they start to learn the techniques of the walk on the catwalk, it then becomes so natural and effortless.”
Norma Ebanks, local fashion designer and CEO of Cayman InStyle Fashion Week, praised Page’s techniques.
“His method of runway coaching and development is about embracing the individuality of every model’s unique form to create a signature walk that respects the art of true runway style,” she said. “Through his coaching and development, models have graced international magazines and runways of New York, Paris, Milan, London and New Zealand.”
The series of workshops, now in their third year, also helped local models of all abilities get to the next level in the fashion industry.
Miss World Cayman Islands 2019, Jaci Patrick, who attended the workshop, told the Compass it was an “amazing opportunity to not only know him as a coach but to give me more confidence”.
She added, “I’m currently working with the local Miss World and Miss Supranational pageant organisation, and possibly train the girls and get the contestants ready for the pageant. Getting this experience will not only help me in the future [to] build a career in modelling but also help young women that want to get in to modelling and pageantry.”
Patrick hopes to participate in local and international runway shows in the near future.
Ebanks said the workshops were “crucial” for those that wanted to participate in the Cayman InStyle Fashion Week show.
She confirmed a model casting call will be held 1-3 March, for children and adults (ages 6 to 45) at Kings Sports Centre.
To register or for more information, go to the Cayman InStyle Fashion Week website.
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