Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter Ella Emhoff has now been named a style ‘icon’ – one year after her quirky inauguration outfit shot her to fashion stardom and launched a major modeling career for the 22-year-old.
Ella was honored at the 2022 Harper’s Bazaar Icons & Bloomingdale’s 150th Anniversary party on Friday, where the outlet listed her as one of this year’s fashion ‘icons’ – but how did Kamala’s stepdaughter go from an average college student to style sensation practically over night?
Ella – who is the daughter of the vice president’s husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and his first wife, Kerstin – was propelled into the spotlight after she attended the event with her stepmom in January 2021, and caught the world’s attention by wearing a dazzling Miu Miu coat and a custom Batsheva dress.
Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter Ella Emhoff has now been named a style ‘icon’ – one year after her quirky inauguration outfit shot her to fashion stardom and launched a major modeling career for the 22-year-old
Ella was honored at the 2022 Harper’s Bazaar Icons party on Friday, where the outlet listed her as one of this year’s fashion ‘icons’ – but how did Kamala’s stepdaughter go from an average college student to style sensation practically over night?
Ella is the daughter of the vice president’s husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and his first wife, Kerstin. She is seen with her brother, dad, and stepmom
From how she turned her inauguration day attention into a full-time career and everything she has achieved since then to her love life and celebrity friends, here’s everything you need to know about Kamala’s fashionista stepdaughter Ella
At the time, she was studying at Parsons School of Design and was working on her own knitwear collection, but the student soon became a top model, walking in shows for big brands like Balenciaga and posing for top-notch magazines like Vanity Fair.
She also launched her own line of clothing, attended the Met Gala, and signed with a major modeling agency in less than a year. And now, she was branded as one of Harper Bazaar’s style ‘icons.’
From how she turned her inauguration day attention into a full-time career and everything she has achieved since then to her love life and celebrity friends, here’s everything you need to know about Kamala’s fashionista stepdaughter Ella.
Where it all started: Ella gets shot to overnight stardom after catching eyes at the 2021 inauguration
Ella was skyrocketed into fashion fame practically over night, after she wore a Miu Miu tartan coat with crystal-encrusted shoulders and a wide collar over a burgundy Batsheva dress during President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021
It appeared that Ella completely stole the show, and she landed headlines across big outlets like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and The Hollywood Reporter due to her eye-catching look
Before the inauguration, Ella was already showcasing her strong sense of style on her Instagram account by sharing snaps of herself wearing funky clothing
She wore rainbow striped leggings, a shirt made out of all different patches, and other various bright and patterned outfits – most of which she made herself
The 22-year-old was skyrocketed into fashion fame practically over night, after she wore a Miu Miu tartan coat with crystal-encrusted shoulders and a wide collar over a burgundy Batsheva dress during President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January 2021.
Though performers like Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, and John Legend hit the stage at the event, it appeared that Ella completely stole the show, and she landed headlines across big outlets like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and The Hollywood Reporter due to her eye-catching look.
Before the inauguration, Ella was already showcasing her strong sense of style on her Instagram account by sharing snaps of herself wearing funky clothing – like rainbow striped leggings, a shirt made out of all different patches, and other various bright and patterned outfits, most of which she made herself.
Ella, who was attending Parsons School of Design at the time, was a budding designer before the inauguration, and was attempting to launch her own line of crocheted clothing
According to Batsheva Hay, the designer behind her inauguration dress, a friend had discovered Ella’s creations online and told her to reach out. She said: ‘I became obsessed, and was like, wow can we make this happen?’
As for the inspiration behind her inauguration day dress, Ella (seen in the dress) told Vogue that she was trying to portray a ‘little girl.’ She said, ‘This momentous of an event deserves a momentous outfit’
Ella, who was attending Parsons School of Design at the time, was a budding designer before the inauguration, and was attempting to launch her own line of crocheted clothing.
According to Batsheva Hay, the designer behind her inauguration dress, a friend had discovered Ella’s creations online and told her to reach out.
‘My friend was like, “Kamala’s stepdaughter is so cool, you have to check out her work,”‘ she recalled to Vogue, when asked how she came to design her look for the inauguration.
‘I never thought she’d know who I was, but my friend was like, “You should definitely shoot her.” Then … we followed each other, and I went down the rabbit hole of seeing all of Ella’s knitwear.
‘I was literally trying to buy stuff, and it was all sold out! I became obsessed, and was like, what do I have for her? How can we make this happen?’
As for the inspiration behind her inauguration day dress, Ella told Vogue that she was trying to portray a ‘little girl.’
‘My mood board was very “little girl,” in a sense, a lot of scalloped collars and big silhouette shoulders and small buttons,’ she dished.
‘I was going for something girlier, to embrace my feminine side. How many times do you prepare yourself to attend an inauguration? This momentous of an event deserves a momentous outfit.’
Breaking onto the scene: Ella goes from stealing the show at the inauguration to landing her own modeling contract
Just by attending the inauguration in the custom Batsheva dress, Ella was propelled into the spotlight, and her career quickly took off. Batsheva teamed up with the then-student to launch her knitwear collection, which sold out in minutes
She then signed signing with modeling agency IMG, and made her runway debut at the Proenza Schouler show (seen above) during New York Fashion Week in early 2021
She also starred in her first Vogue shoot, graduated from college, posed for Vanity Fair, attended the Met Gala (left), walked in Balenciaga’s show in Paris (right), and became the face of the Adidas by Stella McCartney line throughout 2021
Just by attending the inauguration in the custom Batsheva dress, Ella was propelled into the spotlight, and her career quickly took off.
According to the star, she never expected to come so far, especially because she was plagued with insecurities as a teen
Batsheva teamed up with the then-student to launch her knitwear collection, which sold out in minutes.
She then signed signing with modeling agency IMG, and made her runway debut at the Proenza Schouler show during New York Fashion Week in early 2021.
At the time, IMG president Ivan Bart gushed that she represented ‘authenticity,’ telling the New York Times, ‘Ella communicates this moment in time. There’s a cheekiness and a joy she exudes.’
She also starred in her first Vogue shoot, graduated from college, posed for Vanity Fair, attended the Met Gala, walked in Balenciaga’s show in Paris, and became the face of the Adidas by Stella McCartney line throughout 2021.
According to the star, she never expected to come so far, especially because she was plagued with insecurities as a teen.
‘Growing up, I never saw myself as someone stylish, at all,’ she admitted to Elle. ‘Obviously, I loved fashion and cared a lot about it.
‘But I was really into doing my own thing and being really comfortable in my own body, you know? I never saw myself as a “fashion person.” And I don’t know if my classmates did either.’
She told the outlet that she doesn’t put too much thought into what she wears, and she simply puts on things that she ‘feels good’ in.
‘If I had to describe my style right now, it’s not even a way of dressing. It’s just wearing clothes that you feel good in, not really being influenced by what other people want you to be wearing,’ she explained.
‘Growing up, I never saw myself as someone stylish, at all,’ she admitted to Elle . ‘Obviously, I loved fashion and cared a lot about it. But I never saw myself as a “fashion person.” And I don’t know if my classmates did either’
Ella (seen walking the runway for Vogue World: New York) told the outlet that she doesn’t put too much thought into what she wears, and she simply puts on things that she ‘feels good’ in
‘And also, not getting boxed in by what you used to wear, or what people think you would be wearing. Because it’s not the actual clothes you’re wearing. It’s the confidence you have, and the ability to live your life, in those clothes.’
She also said her job felt like much more than selling clothes or posing for pictures.
‘I think modelling now is not just about modeling, but it’s about creating space for people who do other things, whether it be art, activism, writing, any type of creation,’ she added.
‘I get really excited when I’m able to do things and work with brands that actually let me not only be the model, but actually share my own thoughts and have [conversations] like this where I can talk about sustainability and activism in general. That’s what gets me so excited about the whole industry.’
Too far? Ella receives backlash after walking the catwalk with her breasts out
As 2022 New York Fashion Week kicked off last week, Ella made an even bigger splash when she walked on Prabal Gurung’s catwalk and bared her breasts for the entire audience to see (seen above)
The 22-year-old stepdaughter of the vice president wore a revealing, barely-there, mint top for the show and a tiny leather skirt. The shirt was made by pieces of fabric tied together, and it left her chest on full display
As 2022 New York Fashion Week kicked off last week, Ella made an even bigger splash. She attended a slew of events and runway shows – and she made headlines when she walked on Prabal Gurung’s catwalk and bared her breasts for the entire audience to see.
The 22-year-old stepdaughter of the vice president wore a revealing, barely-there, mint top for the show and a tiny leather skirt.
The shirt was made by pieces of fabric tied together, and it left her chest on full display; she paired the look with black, leather gloves, and strappy heels.
The nip slip appeared to be a deliberate choice, and there’s no suggestion that there was a wardrobe malfunction – which left some people raising their eyebrows.
The nip slip appeared to be a deliberate choice, and there’s no suggestion that there was a wardrobe malfunction – which left some people raising their eyebrows
Ella has also gained a lot of attention online for some of her other radical moves – including not covering up her tattoos or shaving her armpit hair, which is uncommon for models
While speaking to Harper’s Bazaar last month, the model admitted that it’s becoming ‘harder’ for her to ‘feel iconic’ amid some of the backlash she has received
One person said the look went against ‘runway standards’ and accused her of trying to be ‘woke,’ while another called it ‘disgusting.’
While speaking to Harper’s Bazaar last month, the model admitted that it’s becoming ‘harder’ for her to ‘feel iconic’ amid some of the backlash she has received.
‘These days, I think it’s harder to feel iconic. I think just with the state of everything, there’s less moments where I’m like, “Wow, I’m doing something iconic,” or, “I’m being the most iconic,”‘ she admitted.
‘But I felt really iconic when I was a kid. I really had a lot of confidence, and I would do things that just felt like I’m the boss bitch of this world. I think whenever I try to feel iconic, I think back to little Ella and what would she do?’
Ella has also gained a lot of attention online for some of her other radical moves – including not covering up her tattoos or shaving her armpit hair, which is uncommon for models.
Inside her personal life: Ella’s hoard of celebrity friends and adorable relationship with GQ fashion writer Sam Hine
The star is currently in a relationship with GQ fashion writer Sam Hine, 28, who defended her ability to be unapologetically herself to People magazine
‘What always impresses me most about everything she does is she has her own way and through the lens of personal style,’ he gushed. ‘She is no pushover you know, she knows herself really, really well and what’s going on inside’
The star is currently in a relationship with GQ fashion writer Sam Hine, 28, who defended her ability to be unapologetically herself to People magazine.
‘What always impresses me most about everything she does is she has her own way and through the lens of personal style,’ he gushed.
‘You know, others, they wear whatever and in this position, they do what people tell them to do, and she is no pushover you know, she knows herself really, really well and what’s going on inside.
‘She does herself and that’s the message. She is a true individual. And that’s the most important. That’s what being an icon really is.’
As for what makes their romance work, Ella added that ‘open communication’ is key, even if it’s ‘sometimes uncomfortable.’
‘Communication, a lot of deep and sometimes uncomfortable open communication,’ she told the outlet.
‘We try not to worry too much about things that don’t need to be worried about, even though some of us do,’ she added, while pointing to herself.
As for what makes their romance work, Ella added that ‘open communication’ is key, even if it’s ‘sometimes uncomfortable’
‘We try not to worry too much about things that don’t need to be worried about, even though some of us do,’ she added, while pointing to herself
During her whirlwind rise to fame, Ella has made a few celebrity friends, and back in May, she was seen hanging out with Steve Jobs’ daughter Eve, 23, who signed with dna Model Management in March
‘There’s no sugarcoating it. Like, sometimes it’s really hard. Life is not easy. So, talk about it, and then you do it together. In a relationship, you’re sharing a life.’
During her whirlwind rise to fame, Ella has made a few celebrity friends, and back in May, she was seen hanging out with Steve Jobs’ daughter Eve, 23.
The two women posed together at Louis Vuitton’s 2023 Womenswear Cruise Collection show in Los Angeles, where they both dressed to impress.
Ella picked a gray tweed jacket from the designer’s Spring 2022 Ready-to-Wear collection, which was embellished with rhinestones.
She layered it over a crisp white button-down, which had layered necklaces tucked under the collar, and finished off the look with black slacks, black boots, and a slicked-back hairdo with a center part.
Meanwhile, Eve – who signed with dna Model Management in March – was equally chic in a white bandeau top baring Louis Vuitton’s LV logo print.
Her long black skirt, too, was covered in LVs, and she finished off with a jacket, heels, and a small pink leather handbag.
What’s next? Where Ella plans to go from here
The Parsons School of Design student-turned-catwalk queen told People magazine that she was ‘shocked’ but ‘incredibly honored’ to have been branded as an ‘icon’ by Harper’s Bazaar on Friday
She gushed: ‘This is an incredible honor and as someone who doesn’t really think of herself like that it’s nice reassurance. And it makes me check myself and the way I perceive myself… So exciting. I’m so grateful’
When it comes to Ella’s future, she said she’s living in the moment, and keeping her plans ‘loose and open.’ She is seen with her stepmom, Kamala
‘What I like now could be completely different from what I like next season,’ she explained to People. ‘So I just like the process and the journey of it. The only way to make it in this industry is to keep a level head, keep expectations level’
The Parsons School of Design student-turned-catwalk queen told People magazine that she was ‘shocked’ but ‘incredibly honored’ to have been branded as an ‘icon’ by Harper’s Bazaar on Friday, especially since she described herself as someone who still doesn’t think of herself as a pro.
‘It’s kind of shocking,’ she told them. ‘This is an incredible honor and as someone who doesn’t really think of herself like that it’s nice reassurance. And it makes me check myself and the way I perceive myself… So exciting.’
‘I’m so grateful,’ Ella continued. ‘For some reason, I feel like I’m seeing myself from the outside.
‘It’s a very interesting experience that I will never forget. I feel like every day it sinks in a little more. It’s a slow process.’
When it comes to Ella’s future, she said she’s living in the moment, and keeping her plans ‘loose and open.’
‘What I like now could be completely different from what I like next season,’ she explained to People. ‘So I just like the process and the journey of it, and I’ve already got to walk for so many great designers like Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Proenza – those are already above and beyond my lists.
‘The only way to make it in this industry is to keep a level head, keep expectations level.’
She previously told Vanity Fair that her dad has other plans for her – he wants her to follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer like him, but she doesn’t see that in her future.
‘My dad asks me very often, “So have you reconsidered law school?” and I keep saying, “Doug, not happening,”‘ she said. ‘”I’m going to leave it to you and I will be the artist.”‘
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