In contemporary times, there is a growing appreciation for models who don’t conform to the super-skinny stereotype. Plus-size models, like Paloma Elsesser, are gaining widespread recognition, challenging the notion that beauty is confined to a specific size. Paloma’s prominence soared, particularly after clinching the Model of the Year award at the 2023 Fashion Awards.
Paloma Elsesser was elected ’Model of the Year 2023′
The prestigious British Fashion Awards bestowed the Model of the Year 2023 honour upon Paloma Elsesser, a 31-year-old American curve model. Notably, she joins the ranks of past winners such as Bella Hadid, Adut Akech, and Kaia Gerber.
It’s not the first time the successful plus-size model won.
Paloma Elsesser’s journey to success, marked by her 2023 Model of the Year accolade, wasn’t linear. In 2020, she had already secured the title of female model of the year from Models.com, solidifying her status among the Top 50 most sought-after faces in the fashion realm. Despite her current modelling acclaim, Elsesser’s childhood aspirations leaned towards becoming an author or psychologist. She pursued her intellectual interests by studying psychology and literature at The New School in New York, maintaining her passion for writing and poetry.
Her path as a model was not easy because she intended to become a psychotherapist or a novelist.
Paloma’s introduction to the fashion industry was serendipitous. Renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath, seeking distinctive faces for her inaugural makeup line, discovered Paloma Elsesser’s Instagram account and was captivated by her unique allure. This encounter catalyzed Paloma’s emergence in the industry, with Pat McGrath becoming her mentor and leading to numerous campaigns and photo shoots.
Elsesser is one of the many top models whose main goal is to make the industry more inclusive.
Beyond her modelling success, Paloma Elsesser, like many top models, actively contributes to the push for inclusivity in the industry. In an interview, she explained, “My ‘beauty’ interrogates what we know to be the rule in fashion.” Despite enjoying privileges as a ‘beautiful person,’ Paloma recognizes the ongoing need to qualify her beauty in the industry. She acknowledges positive shifts but emphasizes the remaining work to be done. Paloma aspires to be remembered as someone who challenged perceptions and “made people think.”
Paloma Elsesser and other women advocating for inclusivity believe there’s still significant progress to be made. The changing landscape in the fashion world is already a positive shift, embracing diverse body shapes and fostering a sense of self-acceptance. It’s a powerful message affirming, “Hey, you’re awesome just the way you are!”
