Paloma Elsesser leaves Instagram after winning the Model of the Year award

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

“Taking an Instagram beat,” Elsesser wrote. “Grateful for so much love. I also see hate. Taking a moment to enjoy this award in private. And as always, free Palestine.”

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

Paloma Elsesser’s rise in the modeling industry began in 2015, when she amassed a large social media following while attending school in New York City. Since she was chosen by makeup legend Pat McGrath, her success has skyrocketed. Elsesser’s modeling resume includes walking in dozens of shows each season for major brands such as Fendi, Eckhaus Latta, Ferragamo, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga and more. She has also appeared on the cover of several major publications, including Vogue’s January 2021 cover.

Elsesser said in a previous article Interview with teen fashion who feels some brands are taking the notion of size inclusivity seriously, not just on the runway but behind the scenes as well.

“I feel reflected in what I see,” she said of Fendi at the time. “There is a spectrum of people at work who are on the tailoring team, who do the styling. It’s very comforting because when I see that I think they are dedicated to [this conversation].”

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

Walking for the Fendi Fall/Winter 2020-2021 show

Paloma Elsesser walks the runway during the Fendi show as part of Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020-2021 on February 20, 2020 in Milan, Italy.Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images

the Met Gala 2022

Paloma Elsesser attends the 2022 Met Gala celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022, in New York City.Mike Coppola/Getty Images

the 2023 CFDA Awards

Paloma Elsesser attends the 2023 CFDA Awards at the American Museum of Natural History on November 6, 2023 in New York City.taylor hill

This Marc Jacobs campaign

masculine girls Photoshoot

Walking for Thierry Mugler

Paloma Elsesser walks the Mugler show during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 in Paris on October 2, 2023.JULIÉN DE ROSA/Getty Images

the cover of Vogue Spain

Wearing a microskirt on the cover of iD

the Met Gala 2021

Paloma Elsesser attends the 2021 Met Gala “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” charity event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021 in New York City.taylor hill

Walking for Lanvin at Paris Fashion Week

Paloma Elsesser walks the runway during the Lanvin Womenswear Spring/Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 3, 2021.Peter White/Getty Images