After the year that has been 2024, the name Ella Emhoff is hardly a stranger to many. Outside of essentially being White House and NYC royalty, the 22-year-old daughter of Doug Emhoff (yes, the husband of Kamala Harris); Emhoff has been quietly carving a name for her. From recently graduating from Parson's School of Designing with an already cult-following for her knitwear pieces; to signing with IMG and walking the virtual runway for Proenza Schouler to mark her debut. There's no doubting that Emhoff is one to watch.
Here, we're sharing six major facts we know about the budding star, that make Ella Emhoff who she is.
She's the stepdaughter of presidential candidate Kamala Harris
Although Emhoff has always held her own – famously nicknamed "The First Daughter of Bushwick" – there's no denying that the world became well-acquainted with the Gen-Z icon following her appearance at Joe Biden's Inauguration this year. It was also the moment where many of us also found out that she is the stepdaughter of potential president Kamala Harris. No biggie, really.
Emhoff has spoken endearingly in the past about her stepmother and the relationship she and her older brother Cole have built with Harris. In a video for the Democratic National Convention, Emhoff described her as, "Momala, the world’s greatest stepmom."
As we've come to see, the love from Emhoff to Harris is undoubtedly reciprocated. The vice president wrote for Elle in May 2o19; "They are brilliant, talented, funny kids who have grown to be remarkable adults... I was already hooked on Doug, but I believe it was Cole and Ella who reeled me in."
All I can say is, please adopt me.
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She's a NYC local
There's a reason why Emhoff has earned the title as "The First Daughter of Bushwick". The first reason is due to her remarkable knack for embodying the millennial and Gen-Z zeitgeist with her sartorial choices. The second reason, of course, is because our girl Emhoff is a real NYC local. Not the type that floats in and out of the city as she please. No, she's stationed for the long haul.
Emhoff recently graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York, studying fine arts and specialising in textiles. She's basically living out our childhood, fashion-obsessed dreams and we're totally ok with watching her every step of the way. Now that she has graduated, we can't wait to see her continue to rule the streets (and maybe runways) of NYC.
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She knits her own clothes
Now that we know Emhoff's background, it makes complete sense that she would have her own knitwear brand. In fact, it's what she based her final thesis on; "creating a collection of knitwear/crochet pieces in response to my adolescent diary and childhood photographs." All of her custom knitwear pieces are designed and created by her, and span across a range of different categories – including but not limited to outerwear, dresses and even headwear. You can check out some of her pieces on her website, but we can only imagine that with her schedule and popularity, you'll be wanting to get in touch ASAP to score a piece.
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She was recently signed to major modelling agency, IMG
Eight days after Biden and Harris' Inauguration, Emhoff solidified her status as a fashion icon when she was signed to one of the most prestigious modelling agencies in the world, IMG. For the uninitiated, the agency is responsible for representing the likes of Gigi and Bella Hadid, Ashley Graham, Hailey Bieber and 23-year-old poet, Amanda Gorman.
NOW REPRESENTING: #EllaEmhoff! pic.twitter.com/1j0dwK8nDy
— IMG Models (@IMGmodels) January 28, 2021
Speaking of her new partnership with IMG, Emhoff told New York Times; “I was pretty surprised when everything with IMG was happening because when I was younger, I never saw that as being part of my timeline."
“As someone who, like a lot of young girls out there, had self-confidence issues, it is intimidating and scary to go into this world that is hyper-focused on you and the body."
She's a fashion icon
We've already spoken at length about Emhoff's impeccable fashion choices, but we should probably take it back to where it all began; with, you guessed it, her Inauguration outfit. Capturing the hearts of literally all of us, Emhoff stepped out in a houndstooth Miu Miu coat for the ages embellished with golden crystals. But it was what was underneath that took the cake; a collared red Batsheva dress paired with a classic black Loeffler Randall headband. Très chic.
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Though it didn't stop there. After she was signed to IMG, Emhoff made her runway debut walking for Proenza Schouler's Fall/Winter 2021 virtual fashion show. She also was chosen to walk in Balenciaga's return-to-couture, which is an incredible achievement to begin with; then, adding in the fact that she only began her runway journey this year.
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Off the catwalk, Emhoff has also explored the field of collaboration, working with Batsheva to create a collection of knitwear pieces. There's no telling what's next.
Naturally, she wore Stella McCartney to her first Met Gala
So, when you're the stepdaughter of the vice president of the United States, a runway model for some of the biggest names in fashion and a Gen-Z x millennial icon, what do you wear to your first Met Gala? Stella McCartney of course. And what a statement it was. Emhoff donned a bedazzled and sheer red bodysuit, matching paperbag trousers and similarly jewelled sneakers. Proving to us all that she is undoubtedly one to watch.
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She's been hot on the campaign trail
While Kamala Harris has announced her presidential campaign following the stepping down of President Joe Biden, her stepdaughter has been hot on her heels campaigning alongside her on the Harris-Walz campaign trail. Emhoff has been showing up sharp to the occasion, tailored in checkered suits and blazers and her signature tortoiseshell frames.
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