Ella Emhoff's Modeling Debut Is Turning Heads

Vice President Kamala Harris' stepdaughter Ella Emhoff has quickly become a celebrity in her own right. The Parson's School of Design textile student turned heads with her stylish Miu Miu coat on Inauguration Day in January 2021, and was then signed to prestigious agency IMG Models shortly thereafter. Now, just a few weeks later, in February 2021, Emhoff made her New York Fashion Week debut. 

Per Hollywood Life, Emhoff is slated to graduate from Parsons this year. When the politically-active California native is not designing knitwear or donating to charitable causes, she can be found walking the runway. The "First Daughter of Bushwick" was pleasantly surprised to receive a contract with IMG Models. "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," Emhoff told The New York Times, citing her hopes to be "part of that change" in the modeling world with her unique aesthetic, featuring "really weird tattoos and kind of a funky haircut."

So what was Emhoff's very first NYFW experience like? Keep scrolling to find out!

Designer-turned-model Ella Emhoff walked the runway for Proenza Schouler at New York Fashion Week on Feb. 18, 2021, per Page Six. The 21-year-old modeled "a trio of looks: a gray wool fluffy-collared coat and matching trousers, a shiny black leather trench coat, and a sharp black pantsuit sans shirt," per the article. 

Due to COVID-19, the fashion show was filmed two weeks prior at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, New York — a staple of the Hamptons elite and eclectic art scene. The runway video debuted on the brand's Instagram page. Emhoff was also part of a panel discussion with Proenza Schouler design duo Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez at Spring Studios. 

"[Emhoff] represents the story we wanted to tell with the collection," Hernandez told WWD about outfitting Emhoff in various iterations of the modern power suit. "It's the beginning of a whole new chapter in American history... She's a breath of fresh air."  Co-designer McCollough echoed the sentiment. "She's new-gen, she goes to Parsons which is our alma mater," he stated. "She's very much someone we'd hang out with." We couldn't agree more!

Ready-to-wear brand Proenza Schouler has a knack for selecting fresh faces. Meadow Walker, the 22-year old daughter of late Fast and Furious actor Paul Walker, also graced Proenza Schouler's Pre-Fall 2021 runway, per People. Walker is signed with DNA Models, as opposed to Ella Emohoff's IMG contract. 

The opportunity to work with designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez was not lost on Emhoff. The Parsons student emphasized her gratitude on Instagram, reposting the runway video and three outfits she donned. "Thank you thank you thank you @proenzaschouler," Emhoff captioned. "Couldn't have worked with a better duo."

Photographer Hunter Abrams, whom she also thanked, similarly spoke highly of Emhoff. The artist "with more cameras than furniture," per their Instagram bio, shared three images of Emhoff in Proenza Schouler. Each post included the same caption: "Had the distinct honor of getting to photograph [Ella Emhoff] 'Backstage' at her New York Fashion Week debut," Abrams wrote, citing their work for Vogue. "I am so excited for the world to get to meet the young dynamic woman that I had such a fun day with." 

Emhoff commented, "My heart is so full," with a crying emoji. "You are truly a gem in this world." Emhoff's own social media pages have exploded with new followers after her show-stopping Inauguration outfit. Per WWD, Emhoff's follower count skyrocketed a mere 24 hours following the news.

Ella Emhoff certainly knows how to connect with her fans on Instagram. The rising runway star released a five-piece, one-of-a-kind knitwear collection online mere hours before her New York Fashion Week debut with Proenza Schouler, according to Town & Country. 

Emhoff teased the drop on Instagram on Jan. 15, 2021, almost a month exactly prior to her NYFW runway show. "Excited to finally share the tweety bag + the dress, available soon @ a mall near you," Emhoff wrote. The post garnered over 23,000 likes, including a nod from designer Vera Wang. On Feb. 18, 2021, Emhoff released the five items on Mall, "an e-tailer for up-and-coming designers," per Town & Country. 

Nearly all of the products sold out within a half hour, as reported by The New York Times. Prices ranged from $160 for striped knit shorts to $320 for a matching dress. The Tweety bag Emhoff previously shared sold at $260, and two sets of pullover sweater vests — one titled "Flower Boob" — were tickets at $300 and $260, respectively.

Emhoff has proven her versatility as both a model and a designer, and now can count Instagram influencer among her many new accolades!