Watch Paloma Elsesser journey through a dramatic volcanic landscape

“I have always been obsessed with cars, old and new. Particularly Mercedes. However, the industry is extremely male-dominated. I wanted to integrate honesty and femininity into that imagery,” says Paloma Elsesser of her most recent feat. Having travelled through the volcanic landscape of the Canary Islands, on an explorative journey of personal growth with Mercedes-Benz’s initiative She’s Mercedes, the NYC-based model – who’s previously collaborated with Rihanna as the face of Fenty Beauty and walked the runway for Eckhaus Latta at New York Fashion Week – shows another side of her creativity.

The visual poem ‘Honey & Dirt’ takes an abstract approach to exploring the dialectic forces of femininity with Elsesser starring as the main protagonist. This journey is juxtaposed with the raw power and beauty of nature, specifically the soaring sands and cinematic landscape of the Canary Islands.

On a mission to celebrate strong, independent and empowering women via unparalleled creativity, She’s Mercedes is a platform dedicated to the women using their personal drive as a vehicle to make things happen. Unsurprisingly, Elsesser is the perfect fit. As a woman who isn’t afraid to speak out, she’s part of a new cohort of models who are using their platform and voice to promote diversity, body-positivity, self-love, confidence and change within the fashion industry. “The fact that people rely on me to help move them through their insecurities is what drives me,” she explains.

“My willingness to take risks gives me confidence, my ability to channel my fear and move through it,” says Elsesser. “Also, knowing that I can help someone else. It gives me confidence in my purpose as a model, but mostly as a human.”

Watch the film below and find out more here.