Maya Sieron: ‘I’m not suited to being a typically skinny model’

A few weeks ago at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week, Valentino’s casting caused a stir — but not for any reason you might expect. Walking as part of the show, alongside the likes of Kristen McMenamy and Adut Akech were models with what fashion describes as ‘average’ body types (that is to say, neither super slim nor plus-size).

One such model closing the collection was new face Maya Sieron, dressed in a champagne-hued off-the-shoulder gown, cut expertly by Pierpaolo Piccioli’s couturiers to her 5’10” hourglass shape. Sieron now takes a turn as the ES Magazine cover star, in a shoot photographed by John Akehurst and styled by Katie Grand. ‘I was very excited to work with Katie,’ the Polish-born, London-based model says. ‘The first look that I wore was my favourite — the white Alaïa body and dress.’

Certainly, Sieron is a model who could have easily appeared on any of Azzedine Alaïa’s runways (the late designer was known for celebrating the strength of statuesque women). Having started out in the industry as the winner of Miss Teen Poland in 2015, she soon found that her body was changing — as bodies tend to do when one is a teenager. ‘Later I realised my genetics were not suited to being a typically skinny model, because my hips were “too round”,’ she says.

‘I couldn’t work because I couldn’t fit a size zero, but I also couldn’t be plus-size. The casting at Valentino I really loved because it included a spectrum of sizes — there are a lot of people who can see their bodies in mine.’

Currently studying for a degree in economics with real estate at Westminster University, and enjoying painting and scuba diving in her spare time (she even has scuba diving certification) Sieron is still discovering all the Big Smoke has to offer. ‘I like that in London something is happening on every corner,’ she says. ‘You could live here for 100 years and there would always be some great place or restaurant that you haven’t had time to visit yet.’

She has high hopes for her future in modelling, too, with dreams of signing a beauty contract and walking in many more shows. ‘It would be amazing to see myself on the cover of a magazine, too… Wait, well, I already am on the cover of this issue, so that’s one dream ticked off my list!’

Photographs by John Akehurst

Styled by Katie Grand

Collage by Patrick Waugh