Model Paloma Elsesser (one of our faves) is featured on the cover of i-D magazine’s spring 2018 “Radical’ issue highlighting the perspective of ten models who have helped overturn the industry status quo as it relates to size, gender and age.
Shot in black and white, Elsesser was photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin and styled by Alastair McKimm in a Vetements coat and The Row top.
Los Angeles-born and currently New York-based, Elsesser discusses her unlikely entry into the field of modeling. “I was never skinny. I never thought that I would be a model,” said Elsesser. “My parents nurtured me in ways that had nothing to do with my looks. They always told me that I was intelligent or that I was creative or that I dressed fun. When I started working, I realized how hard it is, how emotional it is, how scary it is. I’m a really emotional person, so I was like, ‘How am I going to embrace the fears or insecurities that I have?’ I’ve allowed the support of other women to remind me that what I’m doing is of service.”
Elsesser also spoke on her take on feminism. Said Elsesser, “Feminism always comes down to equality,” “It’s not just armpit hair and freeing the nipple. It is wanting to be treated equally. I think all of the things I care about– being a woman, being a curvy woman, and first and foremost being a woman of color–the most important is being treated equally. I want to be paid properly, I want to be treated properly and I don’t want to be sexualized. I want to be treated the same.”
The issue also highlights models Sameron Russell, Adwoa Aboah, Dara Allen, Christy Turlington, Anja Rubik, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Teddy Quinlivan, Liya Kebede and Doutzen Kroes.
Check out Elsesser’s images below and visit i-D to see the nine other models.
