Paloma Elsesser Leaves Instagram After Winning Model of the Year

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Leave it up to the internet to ruin a good thing — including model Paloma Elsesser's recent Model of the Year win. The high-fashion model and Vogue cover star announced this week she was leaving Instagram for a bit after receiving hate comments.

On December 4, The British Fashion Council held its 2023 Fashion Awards at The Royal Albert Hall in London, where industry icons including Anne Hathaway, Simone Ashley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Suki Waterhouse, and more strutted the red carpet. Elsesser arrived at the award ceremony wearing a black Ferragamo gown with latex cut-out detailing and a choppy fringe hairstyle.

The model was then given the coveted Model of the Year award, making her the first curve model to ever receive the accolade.

“I feel very honored but I'm very shocked,” Elsesser said in her acceptance speech. “But I'm also honored because I'm the first curve model to win this award.”

Elsesser was met with an eruption of applause as she paused to soak in all the cheering for her big win. “I feel so much love in here, so I hope that this award represents that we should all reveal ourselves and continue thinking," she continued.

LONDON ENGLAND DECEMBER 04 Paloma Elsesser attends The Fashion Awards 2023 presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert...

Shortly after winning the award, Elsesser posted on her Instagram Story that she would be taking a break from the social media app.

“Taking a beat off Instagram,” Elsesser wrote. “Grateful for so much of the love. I also see the hate. Taking a moment to enjoy this accolade privately. & as always, free Palestine."

While Elsesser didn't explain what people were saying to her, she did turn off the ability to comment on her most recent Instagram post, which was her cover of Vogue Mexico.

Paloma Elsesser's rise in the modeling industry started back in 2015 when she amassed a major social media following while attending school in New York City. Since being picked up by makeup artist legend Pat McGrath, she has soared in success. Elsesser's modeling resume includes walking in dozens of shows each season for major brands including Fendi, Eckhaus Latta, Ferragamo, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and more. She's also been on the cover of multiple major publications — including the January 2021 cover of Vogue.

Elsesser said in a previous interview with Teen Vogue that she feels some brands are taking the notion of size inclusivity seriously not only on the runway but also behind the scenes.

“I feel reflected in what I'm seeing,” she said about Fendi at the time. “There's a spectrum of bodies at work who are on the tailoring team, who are doing styling. It's very comforting because when I see that, I believe they're dedicated to [this conversation].”

In honor of Paloma Elsesser's fearless rise in the modeling industry, here are some of our favorite looks: