An Analysis Of The Most Iconic Supermodel Runway Walks: From Naomi Campbell To Gigi Hadid

The most successful models in history are renowned for their runway walks.

From predator-inspired stomps to laid-back hip swings, every supermodel has perfected their signature struts which has helped catapulted them to international fame and catwalk notoriety.

While prowess Naomi Campbell, for example, is known for her 'all eyes on me' walk, which turned heads during newcomer Torishéju's womenswear collection during Paris Fashion Week in 2023. Meanwhile, Gigi Hadid has adopted a slight tilt to her head as she commands attention among her contemporaries.

In 2016, we spoke to Elite London's former executive new faces agent Anna Masters, and head of scouting Joel Bough to find out their analysis of the most catwalk walks.

1) Naomi Campbell: The Strut

There's no one quite like Naomi Campbell, the cover star of ELLE UK's March 2024 issue. Her name was cemented in the fashion world after the launch of career in British ELLE back in 1985.

Since then, she's graced over 500 magazine covers and has walked for quite literally everyone, from Prada and Chanel to Dior and Valentino.

Taking it way back to Beyoncé's attitude-filled walk in her music video 'Crazy in Love', which was reportedly inspired by Naomi's famous strut (which mixes the perfect level of sophistication and laissez-faire air), Masters joked: 'What can be said about Naomi's walk that hasn't already been said?'

Still a big player in the industry to this day, the demand for the titan stretches far and wide, even into a new generation as seen in recent catwalk appearances for Balmain, Off-White, Torishéju and Boss.

'At this point she knows she owns the runway and doesn't need to prove it with any of her old-school tricks, spins or sass. She paid her dues and the walk simply says: "You're welcome",' added Masters.

2) Karlie Kloss: The Panther

Dubbed 'the panther' or 'the predator', Kloss' stride is famed for exuding confidence and authority.

Karlie's beginnings in runway modelling came after being discovered at a local charity fashion show in St. Louis. But things really took off her the now global star after walking on her first runway for Calvin Klein, which led to her booking a grand total of 64 shows in her first fashion week season back in 2008.

Still very much in the modelling game, see: Schiaparelli's 2024 Haute Couture show below, Karlie Kloss is also a big deal through her other ventures. From her Koding With Klossy camp, which aims to introduce young girls to STEM fields, or as the host of Project Runway, she does it all.

At 6ft 2inch, Karlie uses her hips to sashay down the catwalk in heels with exaggerated arm movements to ensure all eyes are on her. 'Karlie stalks the catwalk like a panther but even more iconic are her power gaze and the wiggle!' explained Bough.

3) Gigi Hadid: The Authority

The supermodel might have previously been known as the Californian 'girl next door' (more recently she's been seen enjoying nights out with Taylor Swift's girl squad and enjoying trips away with her new beau, Bradley Cooper), but Hadid has long been recognised as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

Gigi made her runway debut back in 2014, after walking for Desigual and has since amassed an endless list of notable catwalk appearances. In 2021 she walked for Jacqeumus while pregnant with her and her then boyfriend Zayn Malik's child and taught us the art of commanding a room with her boyish casual look at Miu Miu's 2024 Haute Couture show.

The 28-year-old's slightly tilted forward shoulders and soft movement on the catwalk shows everyone who is boss.

'Gigi is all about the sultry eyes!' said Bough. 'Her walk is surprisingly relaxed with a little tilt which comes from her stiff neck, reminiscent of some runway veterans like Heather Marks.

'Gigi is all California sunsets, bronzed skin and beachy hair, and her best moments can be seen in her collaborations with Tommy Hilfiger where she knows it's all about her, as it should be!'

4) Coco Rocha: The Angled

With her inimitable bone structure, Coco makes sure viewers are mesmerised by her theatrical walk, added with a subtle head move with each step.

There's no denying that Coco is a longtime industry favourite, and with good reason too. From gracing the catwalk for Jean Paul Gautier's Haute Couture show with her two-year-old daughter, Ioni, in 2018, to her magnetic return to the runway for Christian Siriano in 2021, what's not to love.

And now? The supermodel is busier than ever with her eponymous modelling camp. The idea for the school came about in 2018 after privately training new industry models such as Kendall and Kylie Jenner.

'Coco Rocha serves pure fashion doll on the runway with her angular walk which has just a hint of sass sprinkled on it,' analysed Masters. 'She doesn't need to be dancing down the runway for you to know she has some form of classical training, the toned calves give that away.

'Coco comes from the era when girls stopped and posed when they got to the end of the catwalk, less seen on modern day runways but when she does it, she absolutely owns it.'

5) Jourdan Dunn: The Structured

Unlike her contemporaries, Dunn doesn't rely on her hips and legs to emphasise her walk. The 33-year-old keeps her legs tightly tucked together with minimal waist movement that's far more subtle than Kloss' and Campbell's struts.

Take a look at her last runway appearance for example, Dunn was epitome of controlled while walking for Richard Quinn's during London Fashion Week in 2023.

Bought explained the walk, noting: 'Considering her ballsy south London attitude, Jourdan Dunn brings elegance and poise to her runway walk with a very serene and subtle sashay.

'Notable moments include her Prada SS09 exit in that iconic crinkly gold twinset, well remembered because many of the other models fell over due to the tricky combination of sock and strappy sandal, but not Jourdan!'

6) Hailey Bieber: The Speedster

Hailey Bieber hit the big time in 2016, when she walked for Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren's collections, which earned her a frequent runway spot for some of the biggest names in fashion like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Elie Saab.

Hailey is known for taking large, fast-paced strides down the catwalk that are slightly more considered than Gigi's. 'It's her wide stance and gait that sets Hailey Bieber's walk apart,' says Masters.

Although she quit runway modelling back in 2018 due to a negative experience with a casting director, which made her feel 'small', an analysis of the most iconic supermodels is not complete without Bieber due.

Her star power as a new generation model amassed a new wave of young fashion lovers, thanks to the former model.

One can only hope for her return to the runway, but until then, we're left with her last ever walk, which was for Versace back in 2018 for the brand's pre-fall 2019 collection.

7) Gisele Bündchen: The Bounce

From Chanel to Céline, Bündchen was never not seen on the catwalk without effortless bouncing hair and a cross-over leg technique that would make us mere mortals topple over.

'Gisele doesn’t just walk, she snakes down the runway,' said Bough. 'It's that signature bob, always with the wind in her hair, that comes from her criss-cross style of march, also, she loves to swing her arms about when she turns at the end, a little flail that says, 'yeah, I’m a 5ft 11inch Brazilian goddess with limbs to die for, and what?'

The top model made her final catwalk appearance back in 2015 for Brazilian fashion brand Colcci at São Paulo Fashion Week, but that doesn't mean that the runway legend hasn't left our hearts and minds.

Since her leave from the runway, Bündchen has turned her talents to cooking, with the release of her book Nourish, which is all about creating easy meals to satisfy your body and mind.

'Watch and learn!' said Bough, and we will continue to do so for years to come.

8) Mona Tougaard: The Ballerina

The model made her runway debut at Prada AW19 and has pretty much walked for every major designer since as a result of her effortless glide along the catwalk. Now, when thinking of household names in the industry, it doesn't take long for Mona's name to crop up.

'Mona’s uniqueness is her ability to embody any designers vision reflected in her countless appearances on all the major runways,' explained Bough. 'Her walk is cool and effortless just like her, she doesn’t try too hard! Her subtle, elegant movement down the catwalk means no distraction from her incredible beauty.'

We'll let this snippet from her runway appearance for Alaïa's couture show do the talking.

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9) Mika Schneider: The Royal

'With her beautifully delicate features and graceful presence, the 22-year-old glides down the catwalk,' said Masters.

'Her luxurious walk has all the top houses clamouring to work with her!' Masters added, which is evidence by her walk in Fendi's haute couture show last year.

Recently the model has walked for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Toteme, Schiaparelli, Dior, and Alaïa, and her success continues to go from strength-to-strength.

10) Krini Hernandez: The Sway

'A cool modern beauty, Krini exudes a calm confidence in her walk with a subtle bounce and a knowing look of confidence,' said Bough.

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Shot into the limelight at just 19 years old, this runway star rose to runway fame and has walked for the likes of Prada, Miu Miu, and Dior.

Hernandez recently put an androgynous twist on her sway, while walking for WooYoungMi's AW24 show.

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