Vivian Wilson, the transgender daughter of tech billionaire Elon Musk, made a stylish appearance at the Acne Studios Womenswear Fall/Winter presentation during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday. The 21-year-old American model, who has been estranged from the Tesla founder since 2020, opted to watch the show from the prestigious front row rather than walking the runway on this occasion.
A Front Row Fashion Moment
Wilson cut a seriously cool figure as she took her seat alongside actresses Leslie Bibb and Rosanna Arquette. She wore a daring mesh top without a bra, paired with sleek brown leather trousers that highlighted her model physique. The ensemble was completed with a green jacket that added a pop of colour to the otherwise neutral palette.
Signature Style Details
Vivian accessorised with distinctive flair, donning orange aviator sunglasses that contrasted boldly with her outfit. She carried a bag adorned with chunky silver jewellery, creating an eclectic mix of textures and metals. Her long blonde hair was styled in loose, straight locks, and she chose minimal makeup for a fresh, natural appearance that complemented the avant-garde fashion setting.
On the front row, Wilson appeared relaxed and engaged, laughing and posing playfully with her celebrity companions for photographs. This social moment highlighted her growing comfort in high-profile fashion environments despite her previously expressed ambivalence about fame.
From Milan Catwalk to Paris Front Row
Wilson's Paris Fashion Week attendance follows her recent runway appearance at Milan Fashion Week, where she modelled a silky gown for Gucci. After that catwalk moment, she celebrated on social media with characteristic candour, posting "I just walked for Gucci lmfao" alongside a makeup-free selfie on her Instagram story.
A Budding Modelling Career
The young model has been building her fashion portfolio with increasing visibility:
- March 2023: Featured on the cover of Teen Vogue
- May 2023: Made her official modelling debut collaborating with brand Wildfang
- Same month: Modelled underwear for Tomboyx
- September 2023: Made runway debut at New York Fashion Week for CHRISHABANA's Spring 2026 show
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Wilson revealed her initial apprehension about modelling, particularly shoots requiring skin exposure. "I was terrified," she admitted. "Before this, I was very much the person who didn't show any skin, ever, at all. Even in my day-to-day, like going to the beach with friends, I would not wear a swimsuit."
Navigating Fame and Identity
Wilson has spoken openly about her complex relationship with celebrity status. She told The Cut last year, "I'm not very good at being famous. It's a skill. I fought so hard for so long to be viewed as a regular person." She acknowledged missing the anonymity she experienced before becoming publicly known, while also admitting she enjoys aspects of her current visibility.
Family Dynamics
As the eldest daughter of Musk and his ex-wife Justine, Wilson came out as transgender at age 16. Two years later, she filed to have her father's surname removed from her legal name, formalising their estrangement. In her Teen Vogue interview, she was blunt about their relationship: "I don't give a f*** about him. I really don't. It's annoying that people associate me with him. I just don't have any room to care anymore."
Despite this family distance, Wilson has cultivated her own identity in the fashion world. She maintains an active social media presence with one million Instagram followers, regularly sharing insights into her modelling career and behind-the-scenes glimpses of fashion events. Her Paris Fashion Week appearance represents another step in her journey as an emerging model establishing herself independently of her famous father's legacy.
