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Model Astrid Holler Goes Deep On Freediving And Her Love Of The Ocean

18/01/24

Author: Divya Venkataraman

DOCUMENTED BY: Astrid Holler

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The Northern Beaches local artfully blends her love of the environment with a thriving fashion career. 

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Documented By: Astrid Holler

The Northern Beaches local artfully blends her love of the environment with a thriving fashion career. 

Astrid Holler’s modelling career has had the kind of longevity others only dream of. The Australian native and Northern Beaches local shot into the fashion stratosphere in 2015, after she was scouted in a shopping centre. From there, she went on to walk for starry international houses like Lanvin, Burberry, Marni, Dries Van Noten and Chanel.

Now, she combines her work in the fashion world with the dedicated pursuit of ocean conservation and environmentalism. Holler is studying environmental science and management. But the different facets of her life, to Holler, aren’t as disparate as they may seem at first glance. How would she describe herself now? 

“I would say that I am trying to align my passion for the environment with my career as a model, trying to influence positive changes within sustainable fashion and ocean conservation,” she tells RIISE. 

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Documented By: Astrid Holler

“All these aspects of my work aligned naturally. I started my career as a model at a young age. As I got older and discovered my passions of freediving and environmental science, I slowly introduced them into my life, which then bled into my modelling career.” 
 
While she was a competitive swimmer growing up, her passion for freediving was borne of something else: not just a propulsion to move through the water as quickly as she could, but a desire to slow down and take in the magic of the ocean. After reading Deep, the freediving bible of sorts, written by James Nestor, she felt compelled to explore this new way of seeing the sea further. 

“It is such an amazing feeling, being suspended and weightless in the water watching sea life. Every time I go diving in the ocean I see something new. It never gets dull. My favourite moment free diving was the sardine run in Moalboal, Philippines. Diving down through a wall of fish is amazing, watching them swim together and shimmer in the sunlight.”

Embracing freediving has opened Holler's eyes to the awe-inspiring beauty of the underwater world. Her global adventures unveiled not only the breathtaking landscapes beneath the waves but also the need for positive change.

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Documented By: Astrid Holler

Motivated by a passion for preserving the underwater paradise she loves, Holler became determined to make a positive impact and contribute to the conservation of our oceans.

Holler is hopeful about the future for Australian-led brands. “Many Australian brands already have sustainability at the forefront of their minds, creating garments that are good quality and/or sourcing low-impact fabrics,” she says. “I just hope that both these practices are implemented at a greater scale into the fashion industry prioritising quality and sustainability.”

Over the course of her career, from her blossoming teenage years until now, as a stalwart of the industry, it’s been a journey of changing perceptions for Holler. What she once saw as an industry obsessed with trends and aesthetics and “trying to fit my big feet in tiny heels” has been transformed in her eyes over her years of modelling.  “I’ve learned that the fashion industry is a community full of creative, caring people who want to change our world for the better, whether that be through environmental conservation, equality, creativity, health.”

“The fashion industry is backing amazing projects to better our planet—and I could not be happier to be a part of it.”

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Documented By: Astrid Holler

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