Models · 065
Paloma Elsesser
Life & Career
- Nationality
- United States
Early life
Paloma Elsesser is an American model born in London and raised in Los Angeles. She moved to New York and studied psychology and literature at the New School, sharing style and writing online. Her route differed from childhood training around a conventional model body. Entering the industry as an adult after other experiences became important in later interviews and in developing her own voice.[1][2][4][7]
Entering the profession
Paloma Elsesser was discovered on Instagram by Pat McGrath in 2015 and modeled Gold 001, an early product in the makeup artist’s new line. Personal online imagery provided an entry beyond traditional agency scouting. The collaboration expanded the range of faces used to express beauty products and led to wider magazine and brand interest.[1][2][3]
The breakthrough
Paloma Elsesser gained visibility through Glossier, Fenty Beauty and Nike campaigns and fashion editorials. Beauty and sports brands addressed different audiences, while a 2018 British Vogue group cover added editorial recognition. These images made body diversity visible in commercial contexts, without automatically transforming entire size ranges or industry employment structures.[1][3][7]
Defining work
Paloma Elsesser shared British Vogue’s 2023 cover with Precious Lee and Jill Kortleve in a discussion of a new model generation. That year she became the first plus-size recipient of the Fashion Awards’ Model of the Year. Recognition carried symbolic weight, but the public response she later described showed that prejudice persisted. Achievement and remaining constraints belong in the same record.[4][5][7]
Expanding the practice
Paloma Elsesser extended her role beyond appearing in products, joining the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund selection committee in 2019. This placed experience of style and practical fit constraints within conversations about emerging designers. BoF records this alongside campaigns. Rather than assigning one model responsibility for changing an industry, the concrete decision-making role can be identified.[3][6]
Latest documented work
Paloma Elsesser discussed the need for bolder designers on Vogue’s September 2026 podcast. The article also described Fashion Fund judging and styling a Vogue shopping feature. She returned to the Fashion Awards as a presenter in 2025. These records show continuing work as model, evaluator and image-making participant beyond the symbolism of an earlier award.[5][6]
A place in fashion history
Paloma Elsesser’s significance connects questions about beauty standards to actual work. Discovery, beauty campaigns, covers, awards, judging and styling involve different kinds of influence. Treating her only as a symbol obscures individual aesthetic judgment, while emphasizing willpower alone hides casting and sizing structures. Both levels illuminate the expanding model role.[1][3][4][6]
