Ella Emhoff is not your typical twenty-something.
She has walked in New York Fashion Week and rubbed shoulders with A-listers like Anne Hathaway.
During the summer, she has been spotted sipping wine on yachts off the coast of St. Tropez.
Since then, V.P.
Harris has been nominated by the Democratic Party to run for president of the United States.
Of course, Ella was not always the high-profile creative that we see today.
However, like any other rising star, she had to begin her stylistic education with the basics.
“My mom was super into fashion, so I would always play dress-up in her closet.”
At that point, it was impossible to know that Ella would eventually pursue a career in the field.
In her conversation with McCollough and Hernandez, she recalled “just clomping around, everything too big.”
In some ways, she was a typical student who dealt with the classic problems of adolescence.
Later, during herspeechat the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Ella emphasized this point once again.
She was patient, caring, and always took me seriously," Ella said.
In hersit-downwith Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, Ella opened up about this fantastic experience.
“I spent two summers out there.
It was definitely fun.
It definitely exposed me to the intensity of design school,” she shared.
As for Ella’s parents, they did their best to support her pivot in interests.
While immersed in this vibrant environment, Ella underwent a fashion transformation.
Beanies, oversized coats, and her signature wire-rimmed glasses began to appear in her photos.
This was especially true during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic when Ella decided to give herself a bit of ink.
For Ella, art school was largely about expanding her ability to create interesting pieces including knitwear.
During the pandemic, Ella found that knitting gave her the stability that she needed during an uncertain time.
“I love creating clothing … To show her Momala some support, Ella attended the inauguration.
The ensemble drew a tidal wave of media attention and catapulted Ella into the spotlight.
Even major media outlets, likeVanity Fair, lauded her as one of fashion’s rising stars.
She was offered a contract with IMG models.
And, X then known as Twitter absolutely loved her.
Ella added, “I was going for something girlier, to embrace my feminine side.”
In early 2021, she launched a small knitwear line that included just five pieces.
These initial products included a purse, pair of shorts, two sweater vests, and a sleeveless dress.
Encouraged by this initial success, Ella went on to organize a knitwear pop-up in 2023.
“I need it to be an immersive experience.
That fall, she was invited to model a ready-to-wear collection by Proenza Schouler at New York Fashion Week.
For a recent art school graduate, this represented a major opportunity.
It also gave her a lot to think about.
Speaking withThe New York Times, Ella admitted that she hadn’t always seen herself as a potential model.
However, at the end of the day, Ella realized that the fashion industry was becoming more inclusive.
“She represents the story we wanted to tell with the collection.
She’s the breath of fresh air,” Hernandez explained in a show preview (viaWWD).
In the end, Ella stunned on the runway.
Immediately after finishing her first New York Fashion Week, Ella made her Met Gala debut.
Apparently, the older designer’s work had inspired Ella to incorporate more sustainable fabrics in her own designs.
“It’s made me think more resourcefully on the ways that I want to package things …
It’s made me ask myself, ‘Is this coolandis this helpful?’
It’s been a big influence,” Ella said.
So then I just started experimenting.
And now I’m here,” she said.
She began to make still life images of objects that illicit joy.
This was particularly true when certain footage of Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance went viral.
Ella also added, “I love my three parents” (viaNewsweek).
Kamala’s stepdaughter also made a huge splash at the 2024 DNC.
At the event, Ella gave a heartwarming speech about her beloved Momala.
We look forward to seeing how her style will continue to evolve as her stepmother’s campaign continues.
