How to Make a Fashion Runway

A fashion runway is used for displaying clothes.

A fashion runway, commonly referred to as a catwalk, is a raised platform used in the fashion industry. Models are dressed in professionally designed clothing, then exhibit the items by walking down the runway. It provides high exposure for designers and models alike. The runway is T-shaped with the audience sitting around the edges, for an optimal view. To make a runway, you will need to build a platform by creating a sturdy frame, then attaching a solid walkway on top.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Scaffolding poles
• Saw
• 20 Sheets of plywood, 1 meter x 1 meter x 20 millimeters
• Welder
• Metal clasps

Instructions

Base

1. Cut eight, round scaffolding poles, each to 1 meter in length.

2. Create a metal frame for the base of the fashion runway by welding the poles together. Weld one pole perpendicularly, 20 millimeters from the top of another pole.

3. Attach a third pole vertically, in the same position, at the other end of the horizontal pole. This gives you an H-shape, with the crossbar 20 millimeters from the top of the two vertical poles.

4. Build another H-frame using the same method outlined in steps 2 and 3. Then attach both together with two more poles. This creates a cube framework, which is one section of the runway.

5. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 to make enough metal cubes for your required length of runway. A smaller runway for a local event needs 10 cubes to create a T-shape. Line up a row 1-meter-by-1-meter cubes horizontally, then add another line of 1-meter-by-1-meter cubes perpendicularly to this row, to create a T-shaped runway.

Platform

1. Sand and polish squares of 20-millimeter plywood, measuring 1 meter by 1 meter. Varnish or paint each square's surface for a professional finish.

2. Cut circular holes in the corners, of a wooden square. The holes need to be exactly 2 millimeters bigger than the diameter of the scaffolding poles.

3. Pick up the wooden square. Line up the corners, over the top of the metal frame's legs and put it down. The scaffolding poles fit into the holes of the wooden square and secure it in place with support from the crossbar.

4. Make adjustments to the circular hole measurements if it does not slide on top of the metal frame easily.

5. Make enough wooden squares to fit each of the metal cubes.

Construct The Fashion Runway

1. Put each of the wooden squares on top of the metal cubes.

2. Line up the objects into a T-shape for the fashion catwalk.

3. Attach the legs of the cubes together using metal clasps, or weld them into place.

Tips & Warnings

• Place steps at the end of the platform so that the models can step up and down easily.

• Test the platform to make sure it has been secured into place, before allowing models to walk down it.

References

• Stage Systems: Q Build