Paloma Elsesser

Paloma Kai Shockley Elsesser (born April 12, 1992) is an American plus-size model and influencer.^[4] In 2023, she was the first plus-size model to win Fashion Awards for Model of the Year.^[5][6] She also walked for Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in late 2024.^[7]

Paloma Elsesser
Elsesser in 2019
Born	Paloma Kai Shockley Elsesser (1992-04-12) April 12, 1992 (age 33) London Borough of Camden, England, UK
Nationality	American
Occupations	Model influencer
Years active	2014-present
Relatives	Ama Lesser (sister) Sage Elsesser (brother) [1]
Modeling information
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) [2]
Hair color	Black
Eye color	Brown
Agency	IMG Models (New York, Paris, Milan, London, Sydney)[3]

Early life

Elsesser was born in London, England to an African-American mother and a father of Chilean and Swiss descent.^[8][9] She was raised in Los Angeles, California and moved to New York City, New York in 2010, to attend The New School to study psychology and literature.^[4][10] She has two sisters: her elder sister Kanyessa McMahon is a director and producer, her younger sister, Ama, is also an actor and model signed to IMG, while her brother Sage Elsesser aka Navy Blue is a rapper and professional skateboarder.^[1]

Career

Elsesser was discovered on Instagram by makeup artist Pat McGrath.^[11]

She has modeled for Nike, Inc., Fenty Beauty, Victoria’s Secret, Proenza Schouler, and Mercedes-Benz.^{[12][13][14][15]} She has appeared in editorials for fashion magazines such as American Vogue, Vogue España, Teen Vogue, Elle, W, Wonderland Magazine, and Glamour.^{[16][17][18][19][20]}

In 2018, Elsesser appeared on the cover of British Vogue's April issue with Fran Summers, Radhika Nair, Adut Akech, Faretta, Selena Forrest, Halima Aden, Vittoria Ceretti, and Yoon Young Bae.^[21] In 2019, Elsesser made her screen acting debut in the Safdie brothers' Uncut Gems.^[22]

Elsesser appeared on the cover of Vogue's January 2021 issue,^[23] and on the cover of Vogue Adria's April 2025 issue.^[24]

Awards

Year	Association	Category	Nominated works	Result	Ref.
2023	Fashion Awards	Model of the Year	Herself	Won	[25]