Ground-breaking cover star Paloma Elsesser named Model of the Year 2020

Game-changing model Paloma Elsesser, 28, has been unveiled as the winner of 2020's Model of the Year Industry Award.

Elsesser, who has walked for the likes of Prabal Gurung, Fendi, Alexander McQueen and Salvatore Ferragamo, was chosen by a judging panel of 250 industry insiders at the annual Models.com awards.

At a UK size 18 (US 14), Elsesser is breaking the mould of the traditional model shape of a UK 8 (US 4),

Yet by being named as the winner, Elsesser is helping break down rigid body-image stereotypes that have too long dogged the fashion industry.

Born in Switzerland, the American-British model has graced the covers of many global magazine titles, including US Vogue, and is widely regarded as shaking up the industry.

This latest accolade will cement her place in the upper echelons of the fashion world.

South Korean model Sora Choi bagged the readers' vote for Model of the Year, while the panel-selected runner-up was 2019's overall winner, Adut Akech.

Readers, meanwhile, opted for Bella Hadid as runner-up. Interestingly, of these four women, three are from categories that would have previously been regarded as unconventional, showing that the fashion industry is finally breaking away from its own rigid thinking and widely accepting diversity.

Another "plus-size: model – Jill Kortleve – picked up the Breakout Star Award.

In the men’s division, Alton Mason won Model of the Year, nominated by both the industry and readers, while Malick Bodian and Alpha Dia picked up the runner-up Awards. In a huge step forward, all three men are black.

Naomi Campbell picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 Model of the Year Industry Awards. Seen here on the Emilio Pucci runway in 2014. Getty

For the first time, the ceremony featured a Lifetime Achievement Award that went, not too surprisingly, to industry veteran Naomi Campbell.

The British supermodel has worked for more than three decades, after being discovered in 1986. She appeared on the cover of British Elle just shy of her 16th birthday. She was the readers' choice for Model of the Year in 2019.

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DG Digital Shows: You can now buy Dolce & Gabbana straight off the runway

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Where can I submit a sample?

Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.

Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
Al Towayya in Al Ain
NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
Bareen International Hospital
NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.

Green ambitions

Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water

While you're here

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The specs

Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

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The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

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