Irina Haller: on Horses, High Fashion, And Building a Life That Move With Purpose

Namita Nayyar:

What inspired your shift from equestrian sports and real estate to modeling? How did your prior careers prepare you for the industry?

Irina Haller:

Fashion has always been part of my story — a quiet passion that lived alongside my other pursuits, waiting for its moment to unfold. With a height of 1.82 meters, it felt as though destiny had quietly stitched together my love for beauty, movement, and expression with the physical presence needed for the runway and in front of the camera. My years in equestrian sports taught me discipline, elegance, and the art of silent communication — qualities that translate seamlessly into modeling. Real estate sharpened my resilience, my eye for detail, and the ability to adapt to any environment. When the door to the fashion world opened, it wasn’t a departure — it felt like a natural evolution of everything I had been preparing for all along.

Namita Nayyar:

How does your athletic background give you an edge during photo shoots or runway shows? Are poses or stamina influenced by dressage?

Irina Haller:

There is a quiet discipline that never leaves you once you’ve lived it. Years in the world of dressage taught me to move with intention, to summon strength and elegance in a single breath. During photo shoots and runway shows, I don’t think — I simply become. On command, my body and mind align, ready to deliver emotion, precision, and presence. What looks natural is, in truth, the art of deep control — a way of moving, posing, and expressing that is deeply connected, alive, and unmistakably my own.

Namita Nayyar:

As someone who entered modeling later, have you encountered stereotypes about age? How do you redefine standards in the field?

Irina Haller:

When I entered the modeling world later than most, I expected to encounter boundaries tied to age. Instead, I found a world that is evolving — one that is learning to celebrate individuality over convention.
Today, more than ever, especially with the emergence of AI models, there is a hunger for authenticity — for real presence, real emotion, and the kind of intangible magic that only a living, breathing person can bring. In this shifting landscape, I see an opportunity not just to walk through open doors, but to help reshape the definition of beauty itself: one where experience, character, and soul are seen as the truest forms of luxury.

Namita Nayyar:

What would you tell others pursuing modeling after establishing a different career?

Irina Haller:

My advice is simple: just start. Trust the process and allow yourself to move with the flow. Every experience you have gathered in your previous career — every lesson, every challenge — can become the foundation for something entirely new. Modeling, like any path, rewards authenticity and resilience. If you bring your true self and everything you’ve learned along the way, you won’t just be starting over — you’ll be building on something already rich and powerful.

Namita Nayyar:

How do you juggle modeling, real estate, and self-care without burnout? Any productivity hacks?

Irina Haller:

When passion leads the way, work transforms into a rhythm of joy. Modeling weaves together everything I love — the art of fashion, the adventure of travel, the discipline of fitness — creating a life that feels vibrant and fulfilling rather than exhausting. Real estate has been part of my world for as long as I can remember; under my father’s guidance, it became more than a profession — it became a second language, spoken with ease and quiet confidence.

Yet even in a life built on passion, the soul needs its sanctuary. After the intensity of a Fashion Week, I find renewal in the simplest of luxuries: unhurried days at home, long walks with my dog, laughter shared with my mother on quiet afternoons. In those moments, far from the spotlight, I reconnect with the truest parts of myself — and find the energy to begin again.

Namita Nayyar:

Did the focus required for dressage translate to entrepreneurship and modeling? How do you stay motivated?

Irina Haller:

Absolutely. The focus and precision that dressage demanded of me have become the pillars of how I approach both entrepreneurship and modeling. I am always looking ahead, setting new goals, and reaching for the next evolution of myself. Each milestone is not a finish line, but a new beginning — a platform to build upon.

There is a saying by Socrates that resonates deeply with me: “He who believes he is someone has ceased to become anything.” It reminds me to stay humble, to stay hungry. I am endlessly grateful for every step of this journey, but my true motivation lies in the quiet promise I make to myself every day: to keep growing, to keep striving, and to always seek the highest version of who I can be.

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.