We don’t need to tell you twice, thrice, or even quarce that we love an all-out fashion moment here at Cool Pretty Cool. So, when we had the opportunity for Kiwi Photographer Sheree Porter and Stylist Nicki Colbran to shoot Savannah Kruger in only the best of the best that fashion has to offer; we ran like the wind.
Currently based in Sydney and represented by IMG, Savannah is quickly on the rise to becoming one of Australia's most recognisable faces, with an origin story to match. Born and bred in the small town of Daly River in Australia's Northern Territory — a town so small it’s recorded to have as little as 116 people in the 2021 census data. Kruger was scouted at just 14 whilst wandering around a market with her friends, and the rest is, as they say history.
In an exclusive interview with the now freshly 18-year-old model, we quickly learned that you can take the girl out of the outback, but you can’t take the outback out of the girl, because in the drastic event that Instagram went ghost for a week, she’d be “fine” because she’d “probably be out bush where there’s no service anyway.”
Where do you live now and where do you consider home?
I’m currently based in Sydney but Daly River, NT, is my home base
How do you think your upbringing helped to shape your worldview?
I was taught to be strong and have thick skin. Nothing too much phases me.
Where would you take someone visiting your hometown for the first time?
I’ll take you out fishing the creeks, billabongs and the river (you’ll only catch barramundi). If you're lucky, we’d go off the property to a little waterfall in the hills. It's a secret spot.
How did you get into modelling? Can you tell us the story of how you came to be signed by your agency?
I was 14, at the Mindal Market in Darwin with my friends. Christabel Dundon from Pride Models was there on holiday with her family; she approached me & asked me if I wanted to model. When she said that, I said no because I thought it was a scam. She gave me her contact details to pass on to my mum; we looked her up online and realised this was the real deal. A month later, I was in Melbourne for a week doing some test shoots, shortly after IMG offered me a contract.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
Being able to travel to different places I never would’ve thought I could go to.
And the most challenging?
I haven’t faced anything too challenging for myself besides getting used to cold weather.
Do you consider yourself a spiritual person?
If you count believing in Karma as spiritual, yes.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Whatever you’re going through now isn’t going to affect you in ten years; get through it and keep pushing.
What is your idea of happiness?
Watching my younger siblings, nieces, and nephews grow up.
What would happen if you had to give up social media for a week?
I’d be fine if that happens. I’ll probably be out bush where there’s no service.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning back home?
Cook a big brekky.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'm obsessed with Carbonara at the moment.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Night owl.
How can we make the most of our time on Earth?
No matter what you do or how long it takes you, live a life you love and desire.
Can you recall reading, watching or listening to something that completely changed your mind about something?
I’ll always remember one time my flight got delayed by a few days. My partner and I were complaining about it to each other when two old men sat down next to us, sharing coins they collected that day. One of them had no shoes, and it was so cold that his feet were almost purple. The other man gave him his shoes and just wore socks, and in that moment, they were happy with what they had. I realised here we are worrying about a cancelled flight and there are other people who don’t even have a home.
What are you most looking forward to this year in 2023?
This year I’ve turned 18 which means there are more opportunities for me in this industry.
Favourite song?
Atm, 'The come up' - Palmos Stingah
It’s my friend’s song. Long Live KM.
Favourite movie?
Atm, Queen Charlotte.
Why do you think friendships are so important?
I am introverted, I keep my circle very small. I like it that way.
What values do you look for in friends?
Trust, that’s all.
Features Editor: Orion Scott Photos: Sheree Porter Fashion: Nicki Colbran Beauty: Jasmin Lo
Savannah is represented by IMG & Pride
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which this shoot took place.
