“I love getting dressed up, but I also dress like a construction worker most of the time,” Paloma Elsesser joked ahead of the Fashion Awards. When the supermodel’s not in a boiler suit, she’s serving epic after-dark looks, or topping up her Instagram feed with lo-fi outfit shots.
Her latest IG addition? A series of snaps showing her clad in a lavender look from London-based, Turkish-born talent Dilara Findikoglu. It’s easy to see why the skimpy cut-out dress from her Resort 2022 showcase caught Paloma’s eye. Complete with a pearly baroque belt that spells out “Dilara” – an accessory that has become Dilara’s signature – Elsesser’s latest look is brimming with sex appeal.
As Dilara has put it herself: “I just want to make people feel amazing – and I want to feel amazing. I don’t want any extra clothing. I just want body, mind, and soul.” Paloma nailed the brief. The designer was also behind the custom look Iris Law wore to the Fashion Awards
Dilara channelled the same spirit into the custom Fashion Awards look she designed for Iris Law. “I had so much fun designing with you and seeing the amazing way that you work – thank you for bringing our vision to life,” Law wrote on Instagram after the event. Her draped dress was elevated with swirling silver jewels created in collaboration with The Great Frog.
Other recent pieces that have made an appearance on Paloma’s grid: a Vivienne Westwood corset sourced from vintage treasure trove Replika Vintage; a Phoebe Philo-era Céline logo patchwork tote bag; a tri-colour Hermès Kelly bag, and jazzy separates from Charlotte Knowles. No wonder she describes herself as an “extroverted introvert”. Maybe she gets inspiration from the designers she walks for during fashion month. The supermodel dominated the spring/summer 2022 runways, appearing in no fewer than 13 shows.
