Vogue Adria April 2024 : Paloma Elsesser by Davit Giorgadze

[proseccotabis]

This body positivity movement is the death of modelling. It allows mediocre people who are short, average looking to have the same opportunities as beautiful models who are tall and graceful. Paloma is the epitome of laziness, there is not one editorial of hers that I really like. She is the opposite of grace but at least she gives us hope we can pull the model look. Even worse than Lila Moss

I’m not a fan of Paloma’s whatsoever and her modeling is very questionable but all humans are of different shapes and sizes, and customers are of different shapes and sizes. Therefore if we follow this logic, it means that models can’t be bigger than size 0 and shorter than 5’9? Not everyone can look like Anja Rubik or Gisele, and some can’t do that physically even if they try super hard. Diversity is badly needed in this industry. Paloma is there because she has great connections and is actually an awesome easygoing person and yes perhaps skinny and graceful models that missed out on that component would be famous too if they had such great contacts too, but implying that someone who’s NOT tall and graceful doesn’t deserve their place in the industry simply because of the way they look is so tone deaf and outdated. Everyone deserves to be in a good place in their career because of their talent, luck and effort, even Beth Ditto. I know plenty of tall gorgeous and slim girls who would make great models but they are absolutely insufferable rude and aren’t diplomatic whatsoever. Sometimes it’s not about the looks

 

[Phuel]

^^^ It’s not only her size. It’s her entire aura: She never looks toned, never radiates a presence, never conjures an allure on the runway nor in editorials. She’s just so sluggish, so doughy, so dreary, so graceless. If she has a great personality, it's not projecting in her runway presence and her shoots. Just take a gander at the select of the shot of her behind the chair: She looks like she’s holding on for dear life or else she’s going to fall off. And she has the same expression in every single select LMFAO Bigger models do look good. Just not Paloma: Jill, Devyn, even Precious when she’s reigning it in and not dragging it up. And they possess a neck. But the mediocrity of Paloma seems to be popular with the casual outlet fashion fan/Sephora member and their GBFF whom are all convinced that “you’re perfect the way you are”, and demand that representation. Hence why she’s everywhere. She is the sign of the times. And these publications are desperate for the likes/follows/profile boost she brings as a “the people’s model”.

(Personal body preference is one thing. But the classic model body is entirely undeniably superior as a presence either on the runway or in an editorial. Long limbs, long neck, smaller head and broad shoulders is the structure that carries high fashion designs on the runway and standing before a camera. Someone like Binx may not put in much of an effort— or even any effort. But her unreal Eldar body and the sharpest bone structure since Nadja, sort of doesn’t need to do much else but stand there, and let the mere mortals that’s the creative team do all the work. It’s unfair and maybe people may not even like her because she’s not putting in the effort. But she still looks that gorgeous, that effortless, that graceful, is a testament to her physicality and presence.)

 

[proseccotabis]

Bigger models do look good. Just not Paloma: Jill, Devyn, even Precious when she’s reining it in and not dragging it up.

Exactly! I actually agree with you. Precious is super photogenic, has an amazing walk, same with Devyn but also you mention other + size models that just do it better, rather than saying than imply that plus size girls shouldn’t be there in the industry.
The person from the initial comment believes that apparently tall and skinny girls should be in Paloma’s place simply because they’re tall and slim. If we use the same logic then maybe size 10-12 shouldn’t exist for customers at all and they aren’t worthy to wear Schiaparelli, marni, coperni, ferragamo? That was my point.

 

[svpernova]

I’d like to kindly disagree because modelling as a business is fully based on how you look like. Models shouldn’t look like your average person, they should look ethereal, tall and graceful which highlight the fabric. I agree that the size of Snejana Onopka or other late 00s models is very damaging for women but to say that every woman deserves to be “represented” in a business purely based on looks it’s far reaching in my opinion. Especially on high fashion where it is very important on how you present the clothes. I haven’t seen a single plus size model model the clothes the same way Vittoria Ceretti or Alex Consani would do (if we are talking about this generation.” Mind you I’m only 5’6 yet I couldn’t care less about representation in the modelling industry knowing full well this is a serious job and people do it full time. I don’t want to buy a magazine because it’s relatable I buy it because of the beautiful model and the concept which appeals to me but that is a completely other story. Yes diversity is needed but racial diversity and not size diversity in high fashion. The presence of plus size models in the catwalk alone is a slap on the face to hardworking models who work their butts of to maintain their physique. It requires discipline. And mind you every model knows what she gets into before signing up to be in the business. And this has gotten out of hand a 5’6 Paloma with 2 runway shows a year won Model of the year over Anok Yai. This is a direct slap on the face.
Now let’s say we need diversity on medicine because not everyone has the brains to do study and we need to be more inclusive.
As for customers the difference is that they’re buying they aren’t doing a full time job purely based on looks and attitude.
Everyone is permitted to have his/ her own opinion and I respect that.

 

[BalkaniStaCouture]

I’d like to kindly disagree because modelling as a business is fully based on how you look like. Models shouldn’t look like your average person, they should look ethereal, tall and graceful which highlight the fabric. I agree that the size of Snejana Onopka or other late 00s models is very damaging for women but to say that every woman deserves to be “represented” in a business purely based on looks it’s far reaching in my opinion. Especially on high fashion where it is very important on how you present the clothes. I haven’t seen a single plus size model model the clothes the same way Vittoria Ceretti or Alex Consani would do (if we are talking about this generation.” Mind you I’m only 5’6 yet I couldn’t care less about representation in the modelling industry knowing full well this is a serious job and people do it full time. I don’t want to buy a magazine because it’s relatable I buy it because of the beautiful model and the concept which appeals to me but that is a completely other story. Yes diversity is needed but racial diversity and not size diversity in high fashion. The presence of plus size models in the catwalk alone is a slap on the face to hardworking models who work their butts of to maintain their physique. It requires discipline. And mind you every model knows what she gets into before signing up to be in the business. And this has gotten out of hand a 5’6 Paloma with 2 runway shows a year won Model of the year over Anok Yai. This is a direct slap on the face.
Now let’s say we need diversity on medicine because not everyone has the brains to do study and we need to be more inclusive.
Everyone is permitted to have his/ her own opinion and I respect that.

Yaaas Queen Yaaas! 🥰🥰🥰

 

[blueorchid]

Now let’s say we need diversity on medicine because not everyone has the brains to do study and we need to be more inclusive.

Yeah, but diversity in medicine is never going to be based on putting people in the programs with ~low grades~ just because they have a brain, because unlike modeling... medicine is actually important?

You might want to read about how medical schools ARE encouraging diverse applicants, because it is important to have a diverse pool of doctors. Diversity in medicine and medical professionals is actually important and impacts patient outcomes. Not sure how having a fat model really negatively affects people. Oh no, a fat person who can't model is on a magazine cover, the horrors!!

I respect everyone's right to their opinion, but that's not going to stop me from expressing mine.

 

[svpernova]

The article is mostly about racial diversity which should be encouraged in every possible job.
Modelling however is purely based on looks. That is your weapon. Just because everyone can’t look like 5’10 Gisele Bündchen doesn’t mean you’re less worthy, you just aren’t made for modelling. You can have 1000 different talents, not everyone is blessed with looks, we as humans have different characteristics and quirks. Modelling should be treated like a real job not a freelance, unworthy one.

 

[proseccotabis]

I’d like to kindly disagree because modelling as a business is fully based on how you look like. Models shouldn’t look like your average person, they should look ethereal, tall and graceful which highlight the fabric. I agree that the size of Snejana Onopka or other late 00s models is very damaging for women but to say that every woman deserves to be “represented” in a business purely based on looks it’s far reaching in my opinion. Especially on high fashion where it is very important on how you present the clothes. I haven’t seen a single plus size model model the clothes the same way Vittoria Ceretti or Alex Consani would do (if we are talking about this generation.” Mind you I’m only 5’6 yet I couldn’t care less about representation in the modelling industry knowing full well this is a serious job and people do it full time. I don’t want to buy a magazine because it’s relatable I buy it because of the beautiful model and the concept which appeals to me but that is a completely other story. Yes diversity is needed but racial diversity and not size diversity in high fashion. The presence of plus size models in the catwalk alone is a slap on the face to hardworking models who work their butts of to maintain their physique. It requires discipline. And mind you every model knows what she gets into before signing up to be in the business. And this has gotten out of hand a 5’6 Paloma with 2 runway shows a year won Model of the year over Anok Yai. This is a direct slap on the face.
Now let’s say we need diversity on medicine because not everyone has the brains to do study and we need to be more inclusive.
As for customers the difference is that they’re buying they aren’t doing a full time job purely based on looks and attitude.
Everyone is permitted to have his/ her own opinion and I respect that.

I get your point but i think imposing the fact that all models should be tall and skinny is unhealthy. however i respect your opinion fully, while i fully disagree.
yes this business is about the looks no doubt but if we have racial diversity why not the size? particularly as we see many maisons and designers pushing for that. I think its incredibly disrespectful to say that a plus model existing is a slap in the face of a skinny model-everyone deserves to be in this industry if they have the means, talent, luck and ambition to be in it. its not paloma's fault she is not tall and slim and doesnt look like vittoria for example, there is clearly a demand for her and theres a specific reason shes in the business, whether we agree with that or not. its not her fault that a generally speaking taller and skinnier model could not find her way to the top, for whatever reasons. also we must remember this industry is strongly subjective and if the industry decided that paloma is a MOTY ( i disagree with this decision btw, anok in this situation totally deserved this award), its simply a subjective decision. the very existence of the plus size models and specifically Paloma means an expansion of diversity. again i fully respect your opinion but as someone that was in this industry for a long time and seeing this part of the business its shocking that nowadays people have such a narrow view on plus size models....

 

[proseccotabis]

The article is mostly about racial diversity which should be encouraged in every possible job.
Modelling however is purely based on looks. That is your weapon. Just because everyone can’t look like 5’10 Gisele Bündchen doesn’t mean you’re less worthy, you just aren’t made for modelling. You can have 1000 different talents, not everyone is blessed with looks, we as humans have different characteristics and quirks. Modelling should be treated like a real job not a freelance, unworthy one.

so a gorgeous girl like Precious has no space in this industry because shes not 5'10 and not a size 0? shes photogenic, has charisma and is a better walker than Loli (in my eyes). The blatant hate towards non size 0 women in this industry is out of order

 

[blueorchid]

That is your weapon. Just because everyone can’t look like 5’10 Gisele Bündchen doesn’t mean you’re less worthy, you just aren’t made for modelling.

But Gisele is the only model who looks like Gisele... even other models don't look like Gisele. Maybe Angelina Kendall in her current baby Gisele phase, but barely.

(Well, yeah, of course it's about racial diversity... medical schools aren't rejecting fat applicants. What other field is modeling comparable to? )

 

[EDEN21]

because of the way they look

Sometimes it’s not about the looks

we're talking about modeling here... quite literally one of the only professions that is based on looks.

I feel like I hallucinated these statements.

 

[penny609]

we're talking about modeling here... quite literally one of the only professions that is based on looks.

I feel like I hallucinated these statements.

Oh ok...

Based on looks or on looks only? Not really. How many "good-looking" "conventionally pretty" or no matter how you gonna call them literally failed ? They were tall, thin, "flawless" according to many. And they just weren't able to make it for more than a second (or a runway minute of glory).
It's not just the look. Yes, it's partly based on how you look like. But is mostly about what you as a model can do with it. What you can express, how you perform (like dancers or silent-movie actresses for example) is more important at the end of the day. It's basically what makes a model stand out from the crowd (and the crowd is, let's say, pretty huge).

A model's ability to make it isn't related to height, size, color etc. Or at least should never be.

I'm kinda disturbed some people feel disturbed by models who aren't 5'10 tall and skinny-thin in 2025 (or what should have been 2025 'cause on some mornings I feel like I just woke up and time went backwards...).

I'm kinda disturbed some people think a person who's not tall or slim enough is average, as if these two details were the alpha and the omega of everything. Like having a striking face didn't matter or charisma wasn't required.

I'm kinda disturbed when I realize that I'm currently reading more comments on why Paloma shouldn't be a model than I used to read comments on how a 14,15,16yo teenager shouldn't be modeling grown-up women's clothes (or topics of this same kind).

 

[blueorchid]

People don't have to be so RUDE about her, though. I mean, someone literally called her "that thing" in the thread. You don't have to dehumanize her because she's fat and a bad model.

 

[Avonlea]

I will gladly take Paloma over Loli with her comatose look.

 

[proseccotabis]

we're talking about modeling here... quite literally one of the only professions that is based on looks.

I feel like I hallucinated these statements.

Please read my comments again if you can…. I explained why I said it in depth…

 

[svpernova]

A high fashion model strictly needs to maintain her physique in order to be able to book jobs because she will get dropped by her agency and bookings will stop. So physique is highly linked to modeling same goes for looks. How many runway fillers walked Versace just because they were in trend? (2000s)
And modelling is a double-edged sword unless you have good connections you’re gone after you’re 25, it’s true good looks can’t guarantee success (although they play a major role e,g Adriana Lima) but skills don’t as well (Natalia Semanova). This however is another complicated story.
Time didn't go backwards skinny in HF has been in since the 1960s and I doubt it will change just because 3 plus-size women became supermodels. Plus when has fashion ever been inclusive it was literally created by rich couturiers only for rich people who determine the trends.
In fact there is a decrease in plus size model castings (there is a vogue article for that) and if the industry really cared about diversity they would’ve promoted some normal sized models with a healthy BMI. This is just a facade in order to appeal to the trends which were present the last decade.
Plus a skinny person like Mona has the natural ability to present clothes much better than a 5’6 me. Kate Moss was also 5’6 yet clothes didn’t look as great on her as they did on her peers because the garments are designed for the 5’10 model. Clothes look better on tall and moderately thin people at least in my opinion.
Maybe the day will come when we see a worthy plus-size model because none of them truly appeals to me (skill wise).
Though it’s been interesting to read all of your opinions about this matter maybe we should create a separate thread instead of tarnishing Paloma here.

I'm kinda disturbed some people feel disturbed by models who aren't 5'10 tall and skinny-thin in 2025 (or what should have been 2025 'cause on some mornings I feel like I just woke up and time went backwards...).

 

[tigerrouge]

Leaving aside specific aspects of any model's appearance, their job is to sell you something - a mood, a lifestyle, a commercial product. If any model doesn't succeed in selling to you, it's fine for that to (not) happen.

People may or may not agree with anyone's stated reasons for why the 'sales pitch' hasn't succeeded, but we're not compelled to buy into every bit of commercialism that we come across.

And it's commercialism. Layers of it. We're all encouraged to base increasing parts of our identity on aspects of commercialism, so people can get quite offended when some parts aren't automatically welcomed or receive criticism. People lose sight of how advertising is crafted to extract your time, money and attention, and start seeing it more in terms of a moral issue.

Well, morals might come into it somewhere, but you can bet they're not first and foremost in the minds of those who profit the most from it.

 

[crmsn]

The real issue here is the title. Can somebody fix the year from 2024 to 2025? I just realized the error.

 

[proseccotabis]

People don't have to be so RUDE about her, though. I mean, someone literally called her "that thing" in the thread. You don't have to dehumanize her because she's fat and a bad model.

And apparently one is unworthy of being in spotlight if they’re below 5’10 and weight more than 88 pounds … smh I thought we’re way past that particularly with people that work in the industry…… horrific

 

[BalkaniStaCouture]

Paloma who??

I am still waiting for Faretta to grace Vogue Adria.
(Faretta by Benny Horne for Zimmermann Spring Summer 2020 campaign, theimpression.com)