Could you share a bit about yourself—who you are, what you do, and your biggest loves

Hi! My name is Holly also known as Holly Rose, I’m 28, a gemini and a full time model living abroad in New York City, with plans to move to London this year. I have been modelling for 13 years but I did take some time off between the ages of 19-23 to reconnect with myself after struggling to keep up with the strenuous demands of the fashion industry. In that time I was able to find my creative side, I dabbled in photography and styling then found my love for modelling again in that process with the help of wonderful women in my life like Ngahuia Williams and Jemma MacDonald. I also worked in retail which gave me a lot of great life skills and introduced me to a lot of amazing people. My return to modelling also lead me back to my great love New York City where I have been based for the past 4 years, enjoying all the things I couldn’t when I lived and worked there as a teenager. 

My biggest loves are my family, friends, the ocean, sunshine, fresh air and myself.

 

International Women's Day is about celebrating women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. What’s something that makes you proud to be a woman? Or something you’ve personally achieved that you’re proud of? 

I think I am proudest to call myself a woman. It was a feeling that I had been waiting to truly connect to. For the longest time it felt scary to identify as a woman because girlhood is so treasured. To be called a woman feels in part like you’re losing your youth and stepping into this role with huge shoes to fill. To be a woman feels like you stand firmly in your being and you embrace everything that comes with it.

International Women’s Day has its critics, but why do you believe it remains so important?

International women’s day is so important and I believe it’s needed now more than ever. Around the world women’s human rights are being stripped away, there’s a lot of fear mongering surrounding gender expression and identity, it feels as though we’ve taken a step back in time. To have a day dedicated to celebrating women and all of the incredible strides women have made throughout history serves as a reminder that we’re so resilient. Women don’t often get the opportunity to step back and look at the amazing things they’ve accomplished, we usually have to keep pushing on with life so I hope the day inspires people to take a look at themselves and to those around them and celebrate.

When you think about the meaning of International Women’s Day, which powerful woman comes to mind and why?

When I think of IWD I think of the powerful women I am so grateful to be surrounded by, who inspire me, teach me and push me to think deeper. The women in my life have taught me so much about how to show up in this world, how to be true to yourself and how to continue on even when your life has been completely turned upside down. 

What do you think is the unique superpower that women possess?

Intuition! We’ve got such strong gut instincts and are so in tune with the environment that we’re able to notice shifts in the energy. Such a great super power when you have the time to be quiet and tap into it.

 

You've worked with some incredible brands. What has been your favourite creative collaboration so far, and what made it so special?

I have a few- one of my favourite people to collaborate with is also my great friend Ngahuia Williams, she understands me to my core and when she shoots me I always feel like we’ve created magic.

Another was this shoot I did in Paris last year for Vogue Ukraine with Zoe Kovacs (photographer), Charlotte huget (Stylist), Anastasia Vavina (Make up) Anastasiia Tymoshchuk (Hair) It was so nice to be on a women only set and to really feel as though I was apart of the creative process. It was such a comfortable, empowering set to be on, where even though it was heavily body focussed I didn’t feel objectified I felt adored. 

Each set feels exciting and fun but I’ll highlight one last one, I shot the cover of INPRINT magazine in 2020 with Simon Eeles (photographer) Megha Kapoor (Stylist and editor of inprint) Sophie Roberts (hair) and Victoria Baron (Make up) this was such a special shoot to me, it was my first one back in Sydney after a long time of not working in Sydney. It felt like a sort of home coming working with a team I hadn’t seen in years. The shoot was done via zoom- I was in studio and Simon was in Melbourne. The styling was beautiful, hair and make up was perfect. It was such wonderful day and I cherish that memory.

You’re currently transitioning from New York to London—what inspired this change?

Last year I started toying with the idea of moving to London. I thoroughly enjoyed my 4 years in New York as it had always been the city of my dreams. Being able to live there has been such a healing part of my journey but I began to feel stagnant in my growth as a person. I love New York but I feel restricted in many ways to just be a model, London feels new and expansive to me. I’m excited to see where I’m able to take myself creatively.

I’m also excited by the idea of being able to travel the UK and Europe with ease and reconnecting with all of my wonderful friends there.

You mentioned your idea for a London-based concept store showcasing New Zealand brands, what inspired this idea, and how do you see your concept unfolding?

Since I started modelling I had always wanted to open a store, then things happened along my journey and the idea was put way back into the recesses of my mind. It wasn’t until I moved back to New York where I started feeling like something was missing in the fashion scene and that there is a wonderful opportunity to be had in showcasing what NZ has to offer as I often get so many compliments on all my NZ designer things. 

The NZ fashion industry has always been so good to me, I grew up in it and over time my appreciation for home and what we had to offer grew. To be surrounded by so many local talents is such a privilege and I would love the opportunity to be able to showcase NZ on an international stage. I’m not completely sure how it’s going to unfold- it think I may start as an online space before I find the perfect place to set up, so watch this space!

What is it about New Zealand brands that you think would resonate with UK women? 

I think New Zealand brands have been able to encapsulate functional and effortlessly cool. What I see coming out of NZ designers new and established is an understanding of what people want and how to fit that into what living in NZ is like.

There is a lot of love and thought that gets put into everything because NZ is such a small market you really have to find a way to carve out your identity. I love how there’s room for everyone and something for everyone.I think people overseas will really connect with the love, intention and creativity set into what Kiwi designers produce. 

It might sound a bit cliché, but what is your biggest dream?

Great question! My biggest dream is to retire in Aotearoa, this beautiful country I am lucky enough to call home, live by the beach or a body of water, own a horse and be surrounded by family and people I love.