Paloma Sandoval Talks Authenticity, Self-Expression, and Coming Full Circle in UGG’s Dusty Orchid Campaign

If there’s one sign that maximalism has fully arrived, it’s when even the most steadfastly neutral brands start thinking in color. 

 

UGG is the latest to make the leap with its new Dusty Orchid Collection, forgoing its neutral palette of chestnuts, sands, and camels for a dreamy wash of muted purply pink across some of its most recognizable silhouettes. The unexpected color shift comes with an equally vibrant campaign starring model Paloma Sandoval alongside musicians ADÉLA and Molly Santana—a trio who embody the collection’s spirit of self-expression without ever feeling like they’re trying too hard.

 

Dusty Orchid lands on the Classic Mini, Classic Micro, Lowmel, and the debut Quill Mary Jane, transforming familiar favorites with a playful new point of view. Like the collection itself, the campaign is an ode to the unexpected, celebrating the people who stand apart simply by leaning into what makes them different. Sandoval, whose effortless confidence has made her one of fashion’s most exciting new faces, feels like a natural fit.

 

With creative direction by Ava Nirui, the imagery transforms everyday settings with flashes of Dusty Orchid, proving that sometimes all it takes is a single unexpected detail to change the mood. “Doing the campaign was so much fun. I felt so comfortable,” Sandoval tells TEETH. Working with Nirui, whose work she admired growing up on Tumblr, felt like a full-circle moment. “I remember thinking she was the mecca of cool, so being guided by her and executing an idea of hers was the greatest honor.” The campaign was also shot by Hanna Moon, with video by Shadrinsky.

 

That ease carries into Sandoval’s approach to modeling, too. “I’m not really trying to redefine what a model is or what a model does,” she says. “I’m sort of just doing it in my own way.” Below, Sandoval discusses authenticity, the joys of starring in the campaign, and why standing out has never been something she’s had to force.

 

As an emerging force in fashion, you’re at the center of so much change in the industry. We’re in an era of sameness, but there’s also a growing need for individuality. How do you define what it means to be a model in this new era of fashion?

I’m not really trying to redefine what a model is or what a model does—I’m just doing it in my own way. A model is somebody who’s in pictures. I understand the facet of modeling where you’re a mannequin for clothes, but I don’t see why that mannequin doesn’t vary more, or why it’s so revolutionary that I’m not that original archetype.

The biggest part of modeling is being comfortable in front of a camera and being comfortable with people making comments about your body. I’ve always had a lot of neutrality about the way I look. I think I’m beautiful—I’ve never doubted that—but there’s nothing you can really say about my body that I haven’t already thought of myself or that I care about. For me, it’s not about creating a new definition. It’s really just about being myself.

 

The Dusty Orchid campaign is all about disrupting the expected. What was it like bringing that energy to life, and in what ways do you see yourself as someone who challenges convention through your identity and creativity?

Doing the campaign was so much fun. I felt so comfortable. Ava [Nirui] is someone whose work I’ve loved since growing up on Tumblr, so being guided by her and getting to execute one of her ideas was such an honor.

As for challenging convention, I don’t feel like I’m doing it on purpose. I just am different than what the norm has been, and that’s not my responsibility. If that’s different for people, then that’s their cross to bear.

 

You’re part of a new wave of creative talent that moves across different worlds, from modeling to your radio show and beyond. What excites you about exploring so many avenues?

I wouldn’t call it curiosity so much as indecisiveness. I have complete confidence—unearned confidence—in myself and who I am, yet I have no idea what I like. Until I’m totally in love with something, I just think, Why not try everything?

 

Youth culture feels like it’s constantly rewriting the rules, from beauty standards to the way we connect with each other. What do you think this generation is moving toward next?

Because we see so many people. Social media drives everybody crazy, but it’s also been such a blessing because we’re exposed to so many different kinds of people. If I grew up in the ’90s, I would’ve thought I was the only person on Earth who looked like me or acted like me. Especially  model-wise, there was no one I related to. Now it feels like anyone can be a model and anyone can be signed to an agency.

Maybe I get to be that person for somebody who feels like they’re the only person on Earth who looks a certain way. That shift is happening because we’re seeing everybody all the time. For me, that’s motivating. It feels so human.

 

From fashion to music to film, inspiration is everywhere. What’s influencing you right now? If we opened your current Pinterest board, what would we find?

Other people. I’m obsessed with seeing how different we all are and finding inspiration through our similarities and differences. I love Instagram, TikTok, and especially Pinterest.

Right now my Pinterest is mostly home décor because I just moved. I’ve actually been finding a lot of fashion inspiration there—seeing unexpected color combinations in furniture, art, and interiors, then thinking about how they could work in an outfit. So at the moment, it’s home décor and humans that are inspiring me the most.