We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Fashion

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Catwalk?

By Wanda Albano
Updated: May 21, 2024

A catwalk, in its most basic form, is any narrow platform on which people may walk. In this context, a catwalk may be found anywhere and can be anything. As a matter of fact, the name catwalk has been given to such things as suspended footbridges, mountain trails, and piers.

A catwalk can also mean pedestrian bridges perched atop busy streets (also called skyways), service and control platforms found in large theaters from which the lights and sounds can be controlled, and even the gun bridge on a whaling ship.

Recently, however, the word "catwalk" has taken on a much more specific image in our collective imaginations. As understood in the vernacular, it is generally meant as a long and narrow stage on which a person walks to display articles of clothing. This stage is usually elevated and may be flanked by seats on either side, usually reserved for an audience. The catwalk is kept narrow so that the clothes and accessories being exhibited can be observed more closely. A catwalk may also be called a runway, and is an indispensable part of any fashion show.

The term "catwalk" is believed to have originated from bridges that used to connect adjacent buildings, especially during construction or structural repair. These narrow walkways could rise quite high up above the ground and were designated the name "catwalk" not because of the presence of cats, but because of the cat's agility as well as its ability to land unharmed from relative heights. Because of the limited width and the height of these platforms, it was said that only a cat could walk the length of the platform with out trepidation.

The word "catwalk" entered the popular lexicon around the late 1800's. It made its first appearance in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1885.

BeautyAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By anon227004 — On Nov 03, 2011

Who was the first person to launch a catwalk?

Share
https://www.beautyanswered.com/what-is-a-catwalk.htm
BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.