Plus-sized Tunisian model Ameni Esseibi makes her Paris Fashion Week debut

The Dubai resident, who walked for Weinsanto, says it was a 'dream come true'

Ameni Esseibi presents a creation for Weinsanto sping-summer 2023 at Paris Fashion Week on September 26, 2022. AFP

As the world’s style elite flocked to Paris and all eyes turned to the French capital for the start of fashion week, Ameni Esseibi was busy breaking barriers.

Not only did the Tunisian-French model make her Paris Fashion Week debut, she did so as the only Arab woman to walk for Weinsanto — the event’s opening show — but also as one of only two plus-size models to feature.

With her brown hair styled in a pixie crop, Esseibi wore a long satin gown in ombre neutral shades, paired with cream elbow-length satin gloves.

“It was like a dream come true, because I was the only Arab on the runway so I was really representing all the Arabs, it was a really exciting moment — it felt amazing,” she tells The National.

“I was also one of the only plus-size models; there were only two-plus size girls on the runway, so I was not only representing Arabs but also diversity, so it was a two birds with one stone situation, which felt great. I love being on the runway — that walk, the lights, the cameras.”

Esseibi, who lives in Dubai, first walked for Weinsanto on her home turf at Arab Fashion Week earlier this year, and with the help of the Arab Fashion Council, for which she is an ambassador, was able to repeat the experience on fashion’s biggest stage last week.

Weinsanto is the eponymous label founded by designer Victor Weinsanto, who is Jean Paul Gaultier’s protege and student. The theatrical and daring collection, which he described as a “manifesto celebrating love, friendship, and creativity”, opened Paris Fashion Week on September 26.

“Fashion week is honestly crazy and super intense, but the feeling, the adrenalin, the running everywhere, I love it, I love that feeling,” the model says. “When fashion week is over, I feel empty, I’m like ‘what now?’.”

After Monday’s show, Esseibi shared her excitement with her 185,000 Instagram followers, thanking Weinsanto and the Arab Fashion Council for the experience. “Mama I made it Paris Fashion week!” she wrote. “Thank you so much @arabfashioncouncil for helping make my dream come true and @weinsanto for believing in me. This is just the beginning.”

For Esseibi, it was a pivotal moment in her modelling career, which started back in 2017 when she emerged as one of the first body-positive models from the Mena region.

In a previous interview with The National, Esseibi spoke of the power of embracing her body.

“It changed my life,” she said. “As a person who got bullied in high school, my weight affected me a lot. Body positivity taught me self-confidence, self-love, how to overcome my insecurities and to know my worth. It made me who I am today.

“I’m not modelling for the sake of modelling. I feel that, as an Arab who is bigger in size, I’m representing all the women living in the shadows, who are told they can’t celebrate their bodies and their beauty because they are not a certain size. They aren’t comfortable in their skin and I want to change that. I want to be their voice.”

Regional brands making waves at Paris Fashion Week – in pictures

Inspired by Cecil Beaton, the new collection by Rami Al Ali harks back to old-school glamour. Photo: Rami Al Ali

A lavender gown with contrasting pink ruffle by Rami Al Ali for spring/summer 2023. Photo: Rami Al Ali

Rami Al Ali cleverly mixes colours for spring/summer 2023. Photo: Rami Al Ali

Rami Al Ali is originally from Syria but now has its headquarters in Dubai. Photo: Rami Al Ali

New season 'Fragment' rings by L'Atelier Nawbar. Sarah Maisey / The National

Inspired by the destruction of the port explosion in Beirut, the L'Atelier Nawbar 'Fragment' collection also includes bracelets. Sarah Maisey / The National

A new ring shape by L'Atelier Nawbar for spring/summer 2023. This is made from white diamonds and enamel. Sarah Maisey / The National

A L'Atelier Nawbar 'Fragment' fine jewellery bracelet for spring/summer 2023. Sarah Maisey / The National

Karen Wazen's 'Carolyn' frame for spring/summer 2023. Sarah Maisey / The National

Karen Wazen's new square frame for spring/summer 2023. Sarah Maisey / The National

'Retro' frame in orange, by Karen Wazen. Sarah Maisey / The National

The new Marzook 'Pill' unisex bag in biodegradable plastic. Sarah Maisey / The National

A Marzook 'Pill' bag in white crystal. Sarah Maisey / The National

For spring/summer 2023, Marzook has introduced a new 'Fan' bag in bio-degradable plastic. Sarah Maisey / The National

Marzook 'Fan' bags are often double sided. Sarah Maisey / The National

The crystal 'Pill' bags by Marzook are made in Lebanon. It takes 100 hours per bag to apply the stones by hand. Sarah Maisey / The National

An Azzi & Osta bias cut white dress for spring/summer 2023. It is finished with a great bow on the front. Sarah Maisey / The National

Also for spring/summer 2023, Azzi & Osta has created this colourful short dress, dotted with diamante. Sarah Maisey / The National

An Azzi & Osta dress in coral with a sequinned bow. Sarah Maisey / The National

A tailored suit with a large bow detail, by Azzi & Osta. Sarah Maisey / The National

A ruched mini dress with contrasting belt, by Azzi & Osta. Sarah Maisey / The National