A narrow, elevated walkway used by models in fashion shows to display clothing; or any narrow platform high above the ground.
From 'cat' (the animal's graceful movement) combined with 'walk.' First used in fashion in the early 20th century because models walked like cats.
Fashion catwalks became so iconic that they changed how humans walk—models developed an exaggerated gait called 'the catwalk strut' that is now recognized worldwide as the fashion standard.
Catwalks became iconic in fashion modeling (1960s+), heavily gendered female through fashion industry's visual culture. The space became synonymous with narrow beauty standards and primarily women's bodies.
When discussing fashion or modeling, acknowledge catwalks as spaces with gendered power dynamics and the labor/risk (physical, psychological, economic) disproportionately borne by women.
["runway","stage"]
Many women in modeling have challenged catwalk culture's exploitative aspects. Recognize their activism around body autonomy, compensation, and safety.
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