Paloma Elsesser

Paloma Elsesser is an American plus-size model and body activist who has become one of the most influential figures in reshaping fashion's standards of beauty. She rose to prominence in 2015 after being hand-picked by legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath, and has since fronted campaigns for Fenty Beauty, Nike, Glossier, Old Navy, and McQueen. In 2023, she made history as the first plus-size model to win the Fashion Awards' Model of the Year, a milestone that cemented her status as a trailblazer. As of 2026, she is developing her own beauty line, expanding her influence beyond modeling.

Elsesser is known for her unapologetic celebration of her body and her outspoken advocacy for body diversity and mental health. She has graced the covers of Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, and walked in over 50 runway shows, including the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2024. Her fan base regards her as a role model, and she uses her platform to share her sobriety journey and promote self-acceptance. With a growing business portfolio and a dedicated following, Elsesser continues to challenge industry norms and inspire a new generation. [edit]

Paloma Elsesser was born on April 12, 1992, in London, England, but grew up in Los Angeles after relocating as a child. She was raised in a multicultural household with a Chilean mother and African-American father. She has spoken openly about navigating identity as a biracial woman in America, an experience that shaped her later advocacy. She attended The New School in New York City, where she studied psychology and integrated design, a background that informs her approach to mental health and body acceptance.

Before modeling, Elsesser worked at a MAC Cosmetics counter, immersing herself in the beauty industry. She was also active in New York's downtown creative scene, forming close friendships with photographer Tyrell Hampton and other artists. Her entry into modeling came through a pivotal connection with Pat McGrath, who hand-selected her to feature in her namesake beauty line in 2015. That moment served as her industry debut and launched her career. [edit]

Elsesser's breakthrough came in 2015 when Pat McGrath chose her for her beauty campaign, followed by a Glossier campaign that brought her first major commercial exposure. From 2016 to 2018, she fronted campaigns for Fenty Beauty, Nike, and Glossier, establishing herself as one of the most visible plus-size models in the industry. Her Instagram following grew rapidly, amplifying her voice as an advocate for body diversity.

In 2019, she was named to the Business of Fashion 500, an index of the people shaping the global fashion industry. She appeared on the covers of Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, and walked in over 50 runway shows. Her historic win at the 2023 Fashion Awards, where she became the first plus-size model to receive Model of the Year, marked a turning point. She had previously been nominated for Industry's Vote Model of the Year and Model of the Year (Women) by models.com. In late 2024, she walked in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, further solidifying her mainstream influence.

In 2025, she was featured in Coveteur discussing her Aries identity and Brooklyn lifestyle, and appeared in the McQueen Autumn/Winter 2026 campaign photographed by Glen Luchford alongside Karen Elson, Jacqui Hooper, and Xiao Wen. In 2026, Elsesser expanded her portfolio: she debuted Francesco Risso's Bureau of Imagination Project at the Met Gala, serving as a collaborator in selecting the original dresses; her makeup was created by YSL Beauty using the All Hours 24H Hyper Sunkissed Glow Bronzer in Sienna 5. She starred in Old Navy's fall denim campaign alongside Cardi B, and appeared in Abercrombie & Fitch's fall denim campaign with Emily Ratajkowski, Malik Nabers, and Jaxson Dart. She also announced a beauty line at the Business of Fashion Global Forum, described as "object-forward, science-backed, sensual and ritualistic," and appointed Huxley as her global agency. [edit]

Elsesser is known for her unapologetic celebration of her body, bold fashion choices, and advocacy for body diversity. The media portrays her as a trailblazing supermodel who has reshaped industry standards, frequently citing her as a role model for plus-size women and women of color. Her social media voice is authentic and advocacy-driven, sharing her sobriety journey, body positivity messaging, and professional work. In 2026, she partnered with End Overdose to support overdose prevention, speaking publicly about wanting people to "learn from her sobriety journey." Fan accounts describe her as a "model & body activist," and her followers connect with her genuine, unfiltered approach. [edit]

Paloma Elsesser stands as a defining force in modern fashion, reshaping beauty standards through her unapologetic advocacy and high-profile campaigns. Her influence extends far beyond the runway, cementing her status as a cultural icon for body diversity and inclusivity. According to iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluation conducted in August 2026, Paloma Elsesser is currently evaluated but does not hold a placement in the published rankings for the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This absence of a numeric rank reflects a unique position where her impact is measured by industry transformation rather than traditional celebrity volume metrics. While she commands premium fees for over fifty runway shows and fronted historic campaigns for brands like Fenty Beauty and Nike, her fame operates on a different axis than pop stars with mass entertainment followings. The audience surrounding her work is deeply engaged yet lacks a formalized structure typical of dedicated fan clubs. There is no documented fandom name for her supporters; instead, her community forms organically around shared values of body positivity and professional admiration. A single unofficial Instagram account exists with the description "1st fanpage for model & body activist @palomija, I AM NOT PALOMA," serving as a tribute hub rather than an organized campaign engine. Unlike artists who drive viral chart pushes or fan-funded billboards, Elsesser's public presence remains anchored in her authentic social media voice and her role as a trailblazer. Her legacy is built on specific milestones, such as becoming the first plus-size model to win the Fashion Awards' Model of the Year in 2023, rather than dramatic crowd reactions or legendary viral incidents. The scale of her recognition spans global media coverage and consumption signals worldwide, yet it manifests as a steady, influential shift in the fashion landscape rather than fleeting viral spikes.[edit]

Her name means "dove" in Spanish, a fact she has shared on TikTok with the caption "paloma means dove ༘✩". She identifies strongly with her Aries zodiac sign, often joking that Aries are misunderstood. Before entering modeling, she studied psychology, a background that deeply informs her advocacy work and approach to body activism. She is deeply involved in her Met Gala collaborations, acting as a creative partner rather than just a passive model. Her Instagram following sits at 651,000 under the handle @palomija, and a fan-run account exists with the description "1st fanpage for model & body activist @palomija, I AM NOT PALOMA." A widely retold story from her early days notes that she was hand-selected by beauty maven Pat McGrath after arriving in New York as an aspiring psychologist, which rerouted her path into modeling. Another key moment in her lore is her 2023 victory as the first plus-size model to win the Fashion Awards for Model of the Year, a verified industry milestone that fans cite as proof of her trailblazing status. She is also recognized for fronting major campaigns for brands including Fenty Beauty, Glossier, and Nike, establishing herself as a pioneer challenging beauty standards.[edit]

Elsesser has spoken affectionately about her mother, referring to her as "the coolest person in the world & mother" in her Instagram bio. She was raised in a multicultural household in Los Angeles, with a Chilean mother and African-American father. She has not publicly shared details about siblings. As of 2026, she lives in a Brooklyn brownstone, and has no publicly known children. [edit]

Elsesser has collaborated with photographer Tyrell Hampton, a close friend from New York's downtown scene. Legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath discovered and launched her career. She has starred alongside Cardi B in Old Navy's fall denim campaign and Emily Ratajkowski in Abercrombie & Fitch's campaign. Francesco Risso, creative director of Marni, collaborated with her on the Met Gala 2026 look. [edit]

Paloma Elsesser has maintained significant privacy regarding her romantic life, and no confirmed long-term public relationships, marriages, or engagements have been documented. She has not publicly confirmed any romantic partners, and no credible reporting exists detailing specific dating history. As of 2026, her relationship status is not publicly documented, and she has no publicly known children. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Paloma Elsesser's net worth is estimated at $10 million as of 2026. Her income derives from major brand campaigns with Fenty Beauty, Nike, Glossier, Old Navy, Abercrombie & Fitch, and McQueen, as well as runway show compensation. She has walked in over 50 runway shows, commanding premium fees for a plus-size model. Her forthcoming beauty line represents a significant new revenue stream, with the potential to substantially increase her earnings. She is represented by Huxley globally, which handles her commercial and brand partnerships.[edit]

Paloma Elsesser made history in 2023 by winning the Fashion Awards' Model of the Year, becoming the first plus-size model to achieve this honor. This landmark win recognized her impact on the fashion industry and her advocacy for body diversity. She has also been nominated for models.com's Model of the Year (Women) and Industry's Vote Model of the Year, though these are nominations. [edit]