# Why do models on the catwalk never smile? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 9, 2013, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392 "2013-09-09T07:01:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/1 "2013-09-09T07:01:18Z")
Actually they look like they’ve got a peeled lemon stuck up their backside. Does looking sour sell dresses? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/2 "2013-09-09T07:10:37Z")
Why, it’s to stop Malaysian Prime Ministers from being assassinated: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/gx9O6q0pDAU/maxresdefault.jpg "Zoolander (10/10) Movie CLIP - Magnum (2001) HD") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx9O6q0pDAU) ---
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/3 "2013-09-09T07:11:08Z")
Related question. Why do fashionistas actually think they are important to the world? There are countless magazines and some dedicated tv channels just for fashion. Tell me why this most trivial of human activities receives so much attention, please. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/4 "2013-09-09T07:46:51Z")
I don’t know if there’s any support for a true, GQ-type answer to this, but I’ll offer my speculation. > [@Doggo](#): > > Does looking sour sell dresses? In all likelihood, yes; or at least the designers (or whoever hires the models) must believe it does. If smiling models served their purposes, they’d get models who smile. I don’t know if I’d call their expression sour, though. To me it looks kind of neutral, but aloof. In general, the job of a model is to attract attention to what she is modelling, and not to herself. The less personality she shows, the better. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/5 "2013-09-09T07:52:23Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Related question. > Why do fashionistas actually think they are important to the world? > There are countless magazines and some dedicated tv channels just for fashion. > Tell me why this most trivial of human activities receives so much attention, please. Because people with a lot of money pay attention to them. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/6 "2013-09-09T07:57:02Z")
**Moderator action** I don’t know that this can really be answered factually. I’m going to move it over to IMHO where folks can give their opinions on it instead. Moving thread from General Questions to In My Humble Opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/7 "2013-09-09T08:21:56Z")
Less than a day and already I’m disagreeing with you, **ecg** ;). I think there is a line between “we may not be able to arrive at a factual answer because of lack of resources etc” and “there is no factual answer”. IMHO the former belong in GQ. If people who instruct catwalk models instruct them not to smile for a particular reason, that would be a factual answer to this question. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/8 "2013-09-09T08:29:59Z")
Huge fashion department at the college where I worked. The non-smiling aspect is because the model is supposed to be just alone, walking down the street or wherever, and NOT in front of an audience - think of it as a snapshot of any woman dressed nicely in NYC and on her way to a meeting or date or whatever. In addition, you are not really supposed to be looking at her face as much as the outfit they are wearing - so they are kind of trying to be oblivious as they do their runway walk. Of course the models know they are gorgeous - but if you have ever seen a real celebrity/model just walking down the street, it is not like they have a grin plastered on their face. As to why people care? Well, people are fascinated by fashion - obviously more women than men - and like to see what is “new” and what might look good on them. Sure, a lot of those outfits are ridiculous and nobody in their right mind would wear them - but they do signify trends. Long skirts or short skirts? Prints or solid colors? Speaking of colors - many are not aware that there are colors of the year - but that those colors were selected probably two years prior (so there is ample material) by groups of designers. For instance, if the color of this year is light green, that was probably decided by some of the bigger fashion houses two years ago - and if you read the fashion trade magazines you already know what the color of the season will be in 2015. Fashion is a billion dollar industry, and keeping current is extremely important - and if you don’t believe the hype and magazines and TV shows influence anyone, just take a walk through a mall. Observe the gaggle of teenage/20 something girls on the way to the Cineplex and notice what they are wearing…same length of skirts/dresses, same style of belts, same style of tops/blouses, same kind of shoes…maybe they are not ALL dressed exactly alike, but trust me - what they are wearing was hinted at during Fashion Week in NYC not all that long ago. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/9 "2013-09-09T08:44:32Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Less than a day and already I’m disagreeing with you, **ecg** ;). I think there is a line between “we may not be able to arrive at a factual answer because of lack of resources etc” and “there is no factual answer”. IMHO the former belong in GQ. > > If people who instruct catwalk models instruct them not to smile for a particular reason, that would be a factual answer to this question. That didn’t take long (and questions/comments about mod actions belong in ATMB) 😉 I’m not sure that there is a factual answer here (so I’m questioning more the latter than the former) especially when the OP’s second question (post 3) is factored in with it. Since the OP has already received speculative answers, it seemed to me that it would be better suited to IMHO. I’m going to leave it here for now. Moving the thread doesn’t exclude any possible factual answers that may come up, and also allows for opinion and speculation. Any further discussion should take place in ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/10 "2013-09-09T09:52:26Z")
WAG is the catwalk is, by tradition, high fashion so yes, high fashion demands you look like you… On the other hand, lots of smiles seen with commercial models. And high fashion shows on their own tend to lose money (or was it just YSL?) They endorse related products that generate hundreds of millions in annual sales. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/11 "2013-09-09T11:57:41Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Related question. > Why do fashionistas actually think they are important to the world? > There are countless magazines and some dedicated tv channels just for fashion. > Tell me why this most trivial of human activities receives so much attention, please. Some people like footwear, some people like football \ It’s an art, it’s a game, it’s science, it’s engrossing to some people. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/12 "2013-09-09T12:39:13Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Of course the models know they are gorgeous On their home planet, maybe. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/13 "2013-09-09T12:40:50Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > On their home planet, maybe. :dubious: They’re too sexy for this world, too sexy for this world. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/14 "2013-09-09T13:04:17Z")
And when they get to the end of the catwalk, why not give us a joke already > [@Doggo](#): > > Related question. > Why do fashionistas actually think they are important to the world? > There are countless magazines and some dedicated tv channels just for fashion. > Tell me why this most trivial of human activities receives so much attention, please. You should watch “The Devil Wears Prada.” Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci give a pretty good defense of the industry. And it’s not a terrible movie, it has Meryl Streep. > [@DMark](#): > > Huge fashion department at the college where I worked. > > The non-smiling aspect is because the model is supposed to be just alone, walking down the street or wherever, and NOT in front of an audience - think of it as a snapshot of any woman dressed nicely in NYC and on her way to a meeting or date or whatever. In addition, you are not really supposed to be looking at her face as much as the outfit they are wearing - so they are kind of trying to be oblivious as they do their runway walk. > > Of course the models know they are gorgeous - but if you have ever seen a real celebrity/model just walking down the street, it is not like they have a grin plastered on their face. Sounds reasonable to me. ---
**Author:** ![LovesBeagles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@LovesBeagles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LovesBeagles)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/15 "2013-09-09T13:09:18Z")
DMark has it exactly right. The girls are clothes hangers, that’s all. They are not supposed to attract attention to themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/16 "2013-09-09T13:28:09Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Related question. > Why do fashionistas actually think they are important to the world? > There are countless magazines and some dedicated tv channels just for fashion. > Tell me why this most trivial of human activities receives so much attention, please. Somewhere, models are asking each other why anyone would engage in Internet message boards. _There isn’t even any money in it._ ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/17 "2013-09-09T13:28:11Z")
> [@LovesBeagles](#): > > DMark has it exactly right. The girls are clothes hangers, that’s all. They are not supposed to attract attention to themselves. The natural counter argument to this is, a good portion of the human beings attending the catwalk shows are buyers, yes? If that is the case then you, the designer, want the whole package to be as attractive as possible. Just as you tidy up your house when you’re trying to sell it (when everyone knows it’s going to be empty and in need of a vacuum cleaner when possession is actually transferred), why not fill your clothes with models who have some curb appeal? Lots of 40-something women can run around in jeans and a t-shirt without getting a second glance, but if you put Aniston’s head on top the whole ensemble becomes “Hey, I kind like how that looks…”. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/18 "2013-09-09T13:33:36Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Tell me why this most trivial of human activities receives so much attention, please. You could say the same about any other fun, non-essential activity that not everybody partakes of. Football, computer gaming, music. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/19 "2013-09-09T13:43:38Z")
Contrasted with so many other predominantly woman jobs: receptionist, airline attendant, tour guide, etc. that demand faux-happiness and hyper perkiness. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2013, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392/20 "2013-09-09T14:07:15Z")
they are struggling not to fall over with the shoes they are wearing. they should be wearing paper bags if they didn’t want you to look at their face. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-models-on-the-catwalk-never-smile/668392.md?page=2)