Elle Muliarchyk, a model turned photographer and director, has joined Grand Large for U.S. representation, marking her first commercial signing. Their first work together, a series of more than 30 GIFS for Estee Lauder’s Skincare and Makeup Collection, began a rollout in July.
Elle, who is known professionally by her first name only, first gained attention through her “guerrilla modeling,” which involved sneaking into the most expensive fashion boutiques around the world, staging the dressing rooms, and then taking self portraits while wearing their beautiful clothes. The “Dressing Rooms” series of photographs led to international attention—as well as an arrest record.
She carried her irreverent streak into the world of beauty as the first director to create beauty GIFs. Her viral “Beauty Transformations” project for Yahoo was viewed 30 million times during the first the week of its release in 2015. Elle has directed inventive videos for clients including Sephora, MAC Cosmetics, The New York Times, Swarovski, and designers Philip Lim and Rodarte.
“I have always loved and appreciated commercials as a way of telling a seductive and fascinating story in the shortest time possible,” said Elle. “While social media apps have made shorthand communication mundane and ubiquitous, commercials still are a way to create beautiful, soulful, and unforgettable content.”
Adding yet another creative accomplishment to her list of achievements, Elle’s first book, “What Underwear Does a Zebra Wear?,” an Amazon #1 bestselling children’s joke book, was published just last month.
Grand Large, with offices in New York and Paris, has carved out a niche in the international beauty and fashion worlds. It was through these connections that Grand Large founder Steve Horton and Elle first met. “I believe Elle is very relevant to the beauty market because she has great taste and knows the brands so well,” said Horton.
An early supporter of Free The Bid, Grand Large’s roster of women directors also includes award-winning Broadway and feature film director Julie Taymor, as well as fashion documentarian Lisa Immordino Vreeland, Gaysorn Thavat, Tracey Rowe, and now Elle.
