Paloma Elsesser Is 'Positively Beautiful' for Porter Edit January 24, 2021 by Renell Medrano

Rising star model Paloma Elsesser is center stage in the January 25, 2021 issue of Porter Edit, wearing a gorgeous, shocking pink trench from Bottega Veneta. If your drained spirit needs an optimistic revival, this fashion story lensed by Bronx-born Renell Medrano [IG] will give you a joyous jolt.

Elissa Santisi styles Elsesser in modern, sophisticated, color-lover boss-lady looks from Alaïa, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Meryll Rogge, Saint Laurent and more for ‘Positively Beautiful’.

Lynette Nylander conducts the interview Shop the fashion credits at Porter Edit.

Nylander writes that Paloma Elsesser’s “major success is proof that archaic beauty conventions are finally shifting.” AOC’s observation is the same, but Paloma Elsesser is quick to remind us:

“There is a HUGE proportion of the world who still wants a very thin white woman modeling clothes. But there are also TONS of people who want to see something DIFFERENT. I sure as hell do.”

Fresh off her coveted award for Models.com Model of the Year Industry’s Vote, Paloma Elsesser speaks directly to the reality that luxury brands and top retailers are finally embracing larger women.

“Larger bodies in these kinds of blue-chip campaigns, until very recently, just didn’t happen,” says Elsesser. “I know when I am booked, it stands for something bigger than simply walking a show or booking a campaign. I ask myself the question, ‘What is my position necessitating?’ I personally don’t like being a ‘first’ in this way – it can be frightening to be the first plus-size model of color to do ‘X’, but it is also incredibly inspiring.”

Paloma Elsesser shares much of her background as the British-born child of an African-American mother and Chilean-Swiss father, in an artistic family of creatives and academics. AOC couldn’t help wondering if the influential voice on progressive issues attended Biden inauguration poet Amanda Gorman’s Santa Monica New Roads School.

We’re unable to confirm now that possibility, but Elsesser is the third female star to emerge from being the daughter of California academics in the last week’s news. US Vice President Kamala Harris has a similar pedigree.

Nine years ago Elsesser overcame an addiction to drugs and alcohol, and she introduces an important concept in her commentary.

“I think the circumstances really came down to how unmanageable my life had become. Despite always being liked, I had never felt as low. I was in a cycle of self-betrayal that I didn’t even know at the time and I just bottomed out on all the behaviors, and I knew that something had to change.”

We leave you with the phrase “cycle of self-betrayal”, a concept that warrants reflection — a rich Monday-morning offering from Paloma Elsesser.