Hips forward. Shoulders back.

Remember: Every man wants you, and every woman wants to be you.

Such are the wise words of Drew Linehan, former America's Next Top Model guest judge and founder of Trew Productions, a model booking agency in New York City. I met Drew once upon a time when I was a journalist and he booked fashion shoots at Mirabella and Marie Claire.

When it comes to modeling, he really knows his stuff. So who better to teach teach us some slinky runway moves?

Why? Because the Purple Lab mantra is to feel empowered, strong, and sexy, and a little self self-modeling for me and my girls helps punctuate that.

"The main thing is feeling comfortable with who you and and confident with what you're presenting," he says.

Watch the video to see Linehan give us modeling tips, and read on for more catwalking advice after the jump.



You know that swivel-y action at the end of the runway by the papazzi pen? Not as easy as it looks. You have to distribute your weight on your feet just - as if you're showing off the inside seam of the leg of your pants - and then give your shoulders a slight turn ("a little 'huh,'" Drew says in a sort of magnified fun way a la Ru Paul).

There were two small wipe outs in our walk-off (and I'm not naming any names but it may have been the fault of Pierre Hardy's five inch heels).

No runway in your life? Make one - the sidewalk, the street, the subway platform.

Armed with your best shoes and attitude, just imagine a string at the crown of your head, pulling you up, and another string at the hips, pulling you forward. Give your arms a nice little swing (you never want them still as you move - too robotic).

Don't smile too much (models are never that accessible). And lean back ever so slightly (it's modeling, not ballet - you should almost be at a 45-degree angle as you sashay).

And finally: own it, own it, own it! Give your walk your own identity, your own personality. Naomi has one. Gisele has one. Carmen has one. Find yours... even if you sprain your ankle along the way.

Mwah!
Karen
Purple Lab Creatrix