“Opportunity of a lifetime”
The New York fashion runway may be a long way from Townsville but, for teen Holly Sherman, it’s an event that is on her 2022 to do list
HollySherman is no stranger to the catwalk. The Townsville-based Queensland representative of the Top Model Australia Model Search competition has been modelling from the age of 8 and completed her first runway at only 11 in Home Hill for the Face of Summer/spring.
The teen talent dreams of making modelling her full time career with a firm eye on working overseas as a haute couture and runway model.
For now, Holly, 19, happily works at the Townsville City Council as a community programs support officer while modelling parttime including work for local fashion boutique Jaxx, Summerland, Stellar Moda and Hunter.
“I have been making modelling work while living in Townsville,” Holly says. “I travel quite a lot to get more exposure and experience in the bigger cities where there is more work.”
The Mount Isa born aspiring supermodel feels so grateful to be chosen to compete in the national finals of Top Model Australia.
The finals, featuring contestants from across Australia, will be held in Melbourne on July 10.
During the Top Model Australia finals event, Holly will be doing a runway shoe for event sponsors Ever Australia’s new shoe collection as well as taking part in “Bully Zero” workshops to help arm contestants to become ambassadors for the anti-bullying cause.
The Top Model Australia winner will receive a trip to London to take part in London Fashion Week in September.
Holly hopes the exposure from being named as a finalist in the Top Model Australia competition will provide even more national and international opportunities for her.
“Top Model Australia is such an amazing opportunity for me to grow my presence in the modelling industry and expose me on a national stage and have a title,” she says. “I would be so proud to hold the title. This opportunity can change a future and possibly boost my career in the right direction.”
Regardless of the outcome of Top Model Australia, Holly’s fashion modelling career is already on the rise.
She has recently landed a spot at the New York Fashion Week in September.
“New York Fashion Week has been the end goal for me from the beginning,” Holly tells NQ Weekend. “I am so grateful to Belle Le Chic for inviting me to model for their amazing gowns.
“I cannot wait to be walking on the big catwalk.
“However, this event is an invite only runway, meaning, I do need to support myself in
getting to New York, runway shows, photography etc. which is why I have started a Go Fund Me – Help Us Get Holly to New York Fashion Week – for those who want to help support me towards my dream.
Holly has also been asked to model for Marc Defang in his new collection for the New York Fashion week which she says she is “stoked” about.
Holly admits working at an international fashion week will be an incredible honour for her.
“Fashion Week in any country is exciting for a model as you get to express your best style, admire everyone else’s different style,” she says. “As a model, fashion is art and we are wearing the art so expressing an emotion or aura with what you wear is so important.
“It is such a jam-packed week whether you are in the runway or not but seeing all new collections from designers before they go out to the public is something different, the atmosphere is incredible.”
Holly’s mentor is one of Australia’s most
recognisable Indigenous models, Samantha Harris.
Holly, who has Hungarian and Indigenous heritage, says it is important for her to embrace her Indigenous heritage through modelling.
“This is something I am extremely passionate about,” she explains. “I want to see more Indigenous girls getting out there expressing themselves and their culture.
“I would be beyond proud if I became the first Indigenous woman to win Top Model Australia or Top Model International.
“I am passionate to help create confidence in young women, especially for the Indigenous community. I have been in the process of working with the Stars Foundation, an Indigenous women’s foundation that helps Indigenous women achieve what they want in life and their career goals.
“I hope to do some workshops and if any other young girl wants advice, modelling insights or even just a confidence boost.”
Holly says although the competitive world of modelling is not for everyone, it is one she is wants to be part of.
“As much controversy as modelling has, I think of it to use my voice, to use my influence in the right way,” she explains. “I am very passionate about empowering young women and especially Indigenous women like myself to be more confident and comfortable within themselves.”
Holly says she enjoys modelling because she has the opportunity to express herself through fashion.
“I also experience a different kind of world not everyone gets to see,” she says. “I also love that I can give life to the designer’s vision for the outfit they created. It is an honour to have a designer chose you to walk in their outfit because they envision you wearing their masterpiece.”
But Holly acknowledges choosing modelling as a career comes with some challenges.
“The most challenging aspect about modelling is that it is not a nine-to-five, five days a week job,” she says.
“It is a very ‘go with the flow job’ which is good. But you also have last-minute photo shoots, long days, short days and especially when you have full weeks you are covering up all those heel blisters.”
And to maintain her model looks, Holly makes sure to sticks to a healthy lifestyle.
“I go to gym five times a week and have a healthy freebase diet,” she says. “I am not strict but keeping myself healthy and in shape.
“To maintain my health and body care, I am always looking after my skin and not wearing makeup when it is not needed as I wear makeup when doing photo shoots. All that heavy makeup for photo shoots can take a toll on your skin if you wear it more than needed.”
Despite the work that goes into making modelling a career, Holly is hopeful that one day she can work full-time in the industry.
“I hope to see myself in a bigger city within Australia working with a modelling agency doing all types of modelling work and working with big brands as a full-time career,” she explains.
“I hope also to possibly work internationally for fashion weeks in Europe as a professionally paid model.
Of course, I want to combine that with continuing to live a healthy and happy lifestyle.”
I am very passionate about empowering young women and especially Indigenous women like myself to be more confident and comfortable within themselves.”